Greyhound racing banned in Scotland in 'landmark win for animal welfare'

Scotland has become the second country in the UK to ban greyhound racing in just over 24 hours.

MSPs backed a bill to make it an offence to operate a racing track for greyhounds, and for a dog owner to race their animal on one.

The Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill was supported by 70 votes to 27 at Stage 3. There were 19 abstentions.

The Scottish SPCA described the vote as a “landmark win for animal welfare in Scotland”.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who brought forward the Bill, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve got my member’s bill over the line and that we will finally end this cruel gambling-led sport in Scotland.

Campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament (SSPCA) SSPCA

“Greyhound racing belongs in the past, and my bill ensures that no more dogs will be forced to endure it.

“The case against greyhound racing has never been stronger, and the international consensus to end the suffering of these dogs is now unstoppable.”

The MSP described the Bill as “deeply personal” to him as his family had rehomed an ex-racing greyhound who he described as “wonderful, kind and affectionate”.

He added: “But what I didn’t fully understand, until I started working on this campaign, was the trauma that Bert had endured while racing.

“It is only through love that these dogs heal from their years spent in an exploitative industry. Over the course of my bill, I have spoken to dozens and dozens of dog owners with greyhounds like Bert, gentle souls who had been scarred. I also heard about the patient work of re-homers across Scotland to bring these dogs into their lives and heal them.

“This bill would not have been possible without the support of campaigners, dog owners and the thousands of people who took part in my consultation. It is a big step forward for animal welfare in Scotland, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped us to get to this stage and to get this bill passed.”

The bill effectively shuts down the only remaining track in Scotland at Thornton in Fife, which has not opened since early 2025

Wednesday’s vote at Holyrood comes after the Senedd in Wales on Tuesday voted to ban the sport in a move hailed by campaigners as a “landmark moment for dog welfare”.

Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said: “Tonight’s announcement that greyhound racing will be consigned to the history books in Scotland is a landmark victory for dog welfare.

“This incredible news comes just hours after Wales also took decisive action to end greyhound racing – two huge steps towards ending the needless suffering of greyhounds.”

Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA’s director of strategic communications & partnership engagement, added: “We welcome the passing of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill.

“This lives up to the reputation that Scotland is a nation that cares about animal welfare, and we are looking forward to seeing the end of this cruel sport that has seen so many dogs get injured and die unnecessarily.”

Only two greyhound tracks remain in Scotland, down from more than 30 venues once in operation.

Between 2017 and 2020, there were 15 deaths and 197 injuries to greyhounds at Shawfield Stadium.

Thornton’s own figures shared with the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission showed it hosted 569 runs in 2021, resulting in two serious injuries and one fatality.

The Scottish Government previously confirmed it will support the Bill, and agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: “Having carefully considered the evidence, the Scottish Government considered that the Bill addresses the inherent welfare risks associated with running dogs at speed on oval tracks, risks which, even with good practice, cannot be eliminated, and therefore it supports this Bill.”