A ban on Greyhound racing wins the backing of Senedd Commitee

A petition to the Welsh Government was signed by over 35,000 people.

Greyhound Racing
Author: Shaunna BurnsPublished 16th Dec 2022

The Senedd's Petitions Committee is backing a ban on Greyhound racing as over 35,000 people signed a petition to abolish the sport.

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain said it was "disappointed" while the Welsh Government said it would consider the recommendation.

With only one Greyhound racing track remaining in Wales, CEO of Greyhound Rescue Wales Tim Doyle, tells us the ban is long overdue: "Some of the issues that are effecting Greyhounds really just can't be solved now. It's clear that they can't be solved by the industry. I think the time has come to do something more about it."

"Between 2018 and 2021 we saw over 2000 Greyhounds die and 18,000 were injured as a result of racing. These are dogs, and like any dog they like human affection, they're friendly. They're gentle creatures really"

"I think the more that people realise that Greyhounds are just like any other dog, the more people will see that what's going on in Greyhound racing just isn't acceptable in a modern Wales."

Jack Sargent who is part of the Petitions Committee has been telling us what will happen next: "It will be up to the Welsh Government to consider our recommendations and report and reply to that, and any ban if it were to take place will be through a consultation."

"It will be a phased ban I imagine. So those caught up in the effects of a ban in Greyhound racing will be consulted and there will be systems in place."

"In the UK and Wales in particular, we are one of only 10 countries in the world that Greyhound racing still exists so it will be surprising for many people but I think it's a significant step forward."

You can view the closed petition here: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/244932