Animal welfare groups support MSP's greyhound racing ban Bill

For decades, punters enjoyed a night out at the greyhound racing.

At one time, tens of thousands congregated at tracks up and down the country.

While interest has dwindled, for some it remains a quintessential British pastime.

But could that be set to end?

Last week, a bill was lodged at Holyrood proposing a ban on greyhound racing north of the border.

Presented by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill has received cross-party support, as well as backing from a coalition of nine animal welfare organisations known as Unbound The Greyhound.

One of those groups, animal protection charity OneKind, says greyhound racing is a dying industry that has very little public support.

Kaas needed surgery costing £8,000 after suffering a jaw injury.

“While the industry has spoken about improving welfare care, it’s not happened,” said the charity’s spokesperson, Eve Massie. “Self-regulation by the industry has failed.”

“It’s clear to us the support isn’t there in Scotland. It’s cruel and outdated.”

Data from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) states there were 977 track fatalities between 2018 and 2023, while total injuries in that time amounted to 26,522.

The Greyhound Racing (offences) Bill has been introduced in the Scottish Parliament. It’s a landmark step for animal welfare – this Bill will make it a criminal offence to:
-cause or permit a greyhound to run on an oval racetrack
-operate a greyhound racing track in Scotland pic.twitter.com/vlv9fPF7lt

— Scottish SPCA 🐾 (@ScottishSPCA) April 24, 2025

The Welsh Government announced in February it would ban greyhound racing and campaigners in Scotland hope for the same here.

But the industry may already be winding down, with Shawfield Stadium in Glasgow having failed to re-open after the pandemic, while Thornton in Kirkcaldy – an unlicensed track – has ceased racing at the moment.

Owen Sharp, chief executive at Dogs Trust, said: “While we worked closely with the greyhound industry for many years to try to improve welfare conditions for the dogs, progress has not been made quickly enough or on a big enough scale.

“It is simply not acceptable that in the UK over 2,700 greyhounds died or were put to sleep over the past six years, all in the name of entertainment.”

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell with former racing greyhounds outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

But Mark Bird, chief executive of the GBGB, said the legislation presented last week is “confused” and “ill thought-out”.

He added: “Any ban would simply jeopardise the welfare of greyhounds. We have submitted considerable evidence to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee and have had positive meetings with them about the importance and effectiveness of strong regulation.”

Rehomed dogs

Here, we highlight three former racing greyhounds that suffered devastating injuries but have since been rehomed by Scots families.

Kaas

Kaas was raced across the UK, including Glasgow’s Shawfield Stadium.

In 2018, following a jaw injury, Kaas’ trainer took her to the vet to be euthanised, despite the injury being treatable. Her trainer claimed her kennel mate attacked her. However, a specialist vet concluded that Kaas’ injury was caused by a direct blow to her jaw.

The independent rehoming charity that saved Kaas covered the £8,000 surgery and dental treatment costs.

Her trainer did not pay anything towards her treatment and was also disqualified for doping. Kaas and her kennel mate were discovered with drugs in their system just a few months apart. While the committee didn’t think Kaas’s drugging was deliberate, they concluded the drugging of her kennel mate had to be, and as it was the second instance in a matter of months he was reprimanded.

Kaas originally came into Fiona and Scott Bradley’s lives as a foster. The Glasgow couple have fostered 10 greyhounds and rehomed five in the past decade. When they saw Kaas comfort another of their rescues, Bambi, during fireworks they knew she was staying. Bambi has since sadly passed away, but Kaas has proved to be a wonderful foster sister to the many greyhounds that have lived with her on their way to a permanent home.

She has also been a frequent blood donor, made friends with Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil and met metal band Pantera thanks to her dad’s work as a merchandise manager in the music industry.

Fiona said: “Kaas has since retired as a blood donor after 21 donations, welcomed a new greyhound sister, Aggy, and has passed her assessment to become a therapet.”

Joy

Joy was raced 60 times before she seriously injured herself during her final race, which cost her one of her legs.

Her trainer was Rebecca Perkins, who was convicted of animal cruelty in 2023 following the discovery of 37 ill and emaciated greyhounds living in squalor at her property.

Just two weeks after her surgery, Joy moved in with her foster mums, who soon decided she was there to stay.

Her family, who live in Fife, describe her as being like a puppy – everything was new to her – and Joy was amazed and overwhelmed in equal measure. Initially, she was switched off and timid, but she is now playful and enjoys making both human and dog friends.

Six-year-old Joy’s owner, Katie Sibbald, said: “She is full of fun and life, still coping well with being a tripawd, and she brings a smile to the face of everyone she meets.”

Katie has fostered around 150 dogs and was the chair of the Scottish Greyhound Sanctuary for 10 years.

She said the contrast in Joy, who won the Pawblic Vote at the 2023 Holyrood Dog of the Year, from when she arrived to just one month later speaks volumes for the breed’s resilience.

Sasha

Sasha suffered in her kennel after she broke her leg during her first trial race at West Lothian’s former Armadale track.

When her trainer took her to the vet two days later, Sasha’s leg was so swollen and inflamed that it was impossible for the vet to assess the extent of her injuries.

The trainer wanted to have Sasha euthanised – it was cheaper than the cost of treatment and rehoming – but the vet convinced the trainer to surrender her to a rescue charity.

Sasha was taken in by Jacqueline Brown and her partner Scott in Fife. They had three other greyhounds before Sasha and have since fostered another four.

While she now lives in a loving home, the injury has left Sasha with life-long challenges, and she still receives ongoing treatment.

When charity Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (Sage) officially formed in April 2019, Sasha became the face of its first campaign which sought to end greyhound racing in Scotland. Its petition has gone on to become the most signed in Scottish history. Sasha is also known to greet any nervous dog she encounters with a kiss on the nose and sticks by their side until they settle.

Jaqueline, who is secretary of Sage, said: “Sasha’s wee face has turned so grey over the past couple of years but that’s the only hint she’s almost 11. She is as silly and playful as ever!

“Sadly, she lost her big brother Bertie in January, they were firm friends and it was clear she missed him. When an emergency foster place was needed shortly after this, Sasha offered to share her couch. Enter Katie, who had just turned five and needed love and attention. From the start, Sasha helped Katie settle and now they snuggle up together at night. Sasha is keeping her new sister!”

Poor animals are persecuted

Vet and broadcaster Dr Marc Abraham has described greyhound racing as archaic and exploitative.

The campaigner, who received an OBE for services to animal welfare in 2021, said the “only sensible and empathetic thing to do is ban it”.

Dr Abraham, who trained at Edinburgh University and is the ambassador of Edinburgh Dog And Cat Home, added: “There’s really no other way that’s ethical, moral or responsible if you’re supporting animal welfare.

“The industry is desperately trying to protect something they don’t know how to survive without. When money is involved, that’s the motive, but the evidence speaks for itself with the fatalities and injuries and unwillingness to treat injured dogs. There is also a guaranteed surplus of rescue dogs flooding that sector.”

Dr Abraham is also the secretariat and co-founder of the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group at Westminster.

He added: “If it was popular pets like pugs or cockapoos, this would never happen, but somehow these poor greyhounds have ended up as a persecuted breed. It has to stop.

“People say greyhounds enjoy running, but it’s not running around at free will. They’re being forced to run around an oval track that puts abnormal forces on joints and where there are collisions.

“Scotland has a huge opportunity to put an end to this cruel industry.”