Green MSP to seek end to "cruel" greyhound racing
The Bill would see the sport phased out in Scotland
A Scottish Green MSP is calling for an end to the “dangerous and unethical” practice of greyhound racing.
Scottish Government officials have met with Mark Ruskell MSP as he plans to publish a Bill banning the sport.
The proposals will be put to a consultation, but if passed would see the end to the sport in Scotland, which now only runs at one track at Thornton in Fife.
Mr Ruskell said: "This cruel practice has no place in modern Scotland, greyhound racing is beyond reform and it's time to bring it finally to an end.
"All the evidence is there, from the deaths and the injuries to the investigations of those who champion animal welfare every day.
"The inherent risks of racing dogs at 40mph around a curved track are too great, it's dangerous and unethical.
"No place in modern Scotland"
"Yet still there are some who refuse to accept that their race is run.
“Therefore I am compelled to introduce a Bill at the Scottish Parliament that will bring in new laws to phase the races out.”
Official figures released last year by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) showed there had been 22,284 dog injuries recorded in the UK between 2018 and 2022, while 2,718 died during the same period due to a number of factors, although the annual number of deaths has dropped around two thirds in that time.
Of those, 367 suffered a sudden death, while 868 were put down on humane grounds at a racecourse.
Mark Ruskell added: "We cannot stand idly by and allow greyhounds to die, be injured or left abandoned. It is time to take action and I hope MSP colleagues will fully support my Bill."
However, GBGB is warning a ban could be worse for the welfare of the animals and greater regulation instead should be considered.
GBGB Chief Executive Mark Bird pointed to a recent consultation document published by the Scottish Government, where it said an outright ban on racing "is not, at this time, necessary", but admitted that the practice was in essence "unregulated" in Scotland.
The Thornton track does not currently operate under rules laid out by GBGB.
The consultation document, which laid out the Government's position, while asking for the views of the public, also described the number of deaths and injuries between 2018 and 2021 as "very concerning".
"In conclusion, the Scottish Government considers that there is a strong case for the introduction of a statutory licensing scheme for greyhound racing in Scotland," the document said.
It continued: “The introduction of such a scheme would improve greyhound welfare require transparency around the recording and reporting of key data, and ensure that there is accountability when greyhound welfare is compromised."
"A ban on greyhound racing would only risk animal welfare"
Mr Bird said: "We share the views of the Scottish Government, as set out in their recent consultation on the licensing of animal activities, that any greyhound racing in Scotland must have effective oversight and reliably high welfare standards.
"In our evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands (RAI) Committee and the Government's consultation, we not only explained the extensive systems and policies in place under our regulation but also expressed our willingness to support Scotland's one unlicensed track to come under our remit.
"We believe that greater regulation is the only successful way to protect and promote greyhound welfare and that GBGB's licensing system offers an effective existing solution for doing so within Scotland.
"A ban on greyhound racing would only risk animal welfare.”
In June, under questioning in Holyrood from Mr Ruskell, First Minister Humza Yousaf said he was "more than happy to look at how we can give further effect to Mark Ruskell's ask" adding that there was "further for us to go" on animal welfare.
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.