‘Milestone moment’ for bid to ban greyhound racing in Scotland with Bill lodged

A bid to end greyhound racing in Scotland will reach a “milestone moment” as a Bill to ban the sport is formally lodged at Holyrood.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell is proposing legislation which, if passed, would end what he says is a “cruel sport” that involves “too many dogs” being killed or badly injured.

His member’s Bill already has the support of animal welfare campaigners and now Mr Ruskell is calling on his fellow MSPs to get behind it.

Speaking ahead of lodging the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, the Green MSP – who has a former racing greyhound as a pet – said: “This is a milestone moment for my Bill and I am grateful to all of the MSPs and campaigners who have helped us to get to this stage.

“Greyhound racing is a cruel sport that causes a huge amount of harm to dogs. Far too many have been killed or badly injured on the tracks.

“There is no safe or humane way to force a group of dogs to run around an oval track at 40 mph and it is totally wrong to make them do it in the name of profit.”

His Bill comes after the Welsh Government announced in February that greyhound racing will be banned there “as soon as practically possible”.

The Green MSP added: “With Wales taking action, Scotland is looking increasingly isolated in allowing this gambling-led spectacle to continue.

“I hope that the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties will support me, and that we can get my Bill over the line and end greyhound racing for good.”

Scotland currently has one track, the Thornton greyhound track in Fife.

A spokesperson for the Unbound the Greyhound coalition said the sport was a “dying industry where dogs are nothing more than commodities in a gambling-led pastime”.

The spokesperson said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the proposed Bill to end the exploitation of these gentle dogs.

“The Scottish Parliament has a landmark opportunity to advance animal welfare and we urge parliamentarians to show compassion and support the Bill to end greyhound racing.”

Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said: “To be clear, there is no licensed greyhound racing taking place in Scotland today. As such, this is not a Bill which has any relevance to the people of Scotland – particularly when there are so many other pressing issues affecting their daily lives.

“Unfortunately, this is a confused and ill thought-out piece of legislation with implications that go well beyond the remit of racing greyhounds in Scotland. It says more about Mark Ruskell’s vested interests than the wellbeing of animals and any ban would simply jeopardise the welfare of greyhounds.

“We have submitted considerable evidence to the RAI committee and have had positive meetings with them about the importance and effectiveness of strong regulation. We also provided significant evidence to Mr Ruskell’s own consultation which he failed to reflect or consider. This Bill ignores the substantial evidence which proves the need for effective regulation to safeguard greyhound welfare.

“Anyone in Scotland whose hospital appointment has been cancelled, or whose school standards have slipped, will wonder why on earth the Scottish Parliament is giving this any time when there are actual priorities for the country. The electorate will be confused and disgusted that parliamentary time is being given to this.

“Mr Ruskell cites the dodgy backroom deal between the Welsh Government and the single Liberal Democrat Senedd Member to secure the passing of their Budget by agreeing to consider a ban on greyhound racing in Wales as if this was, in any way, something laudable. The significant criticism that this backroom deal received across the board demonstrates the folly of this kind of politics.

“Fringe agendas should be left for the Edinburgh Festival – not facilitated by the Scottish Parliament.”