Scotland follows Wales in banning greyhound racing

Scotland has banned greyhound racing as MSPs backed a Bill to end the sport. It follows a similar move by Wales earlier this week.

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

It will make it an offence to operate a racing track for greyhounds and for a dog owner to race their animal on one.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell brought forward the Bill, which will effectively shutter the only remaining Scottish track, at Thornton in Fife, where there has been sporadic racing in recent years.

Mr Ruskell 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.

“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.

“This week Scotland and Wales have both voted to join the many countries around the world who have already banned it.

“It has been deeply personal for me. In 2015, my family rehomed an ex-racing greyhound called Bert. He sadly passed away last year.

“He was a wonderful dog, kind and affectionate and so patient with kids – and even with cats – 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