Greyhound racing ban: Fife MSP’s bid to end the sport moves step closer

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell’s Bill to outlaw the sport passed its first stage at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

MSPs voted in favour of progressing the Greyhound Racing (Offences) Scotland Bill through Holyrood. If it completes all necessary stages, it will become an offence to race greyhounds on oval racetracks in Scotland. A similar Bill is currently going through the Welsh Parliament, but Mr Ruskell faces a race against time to get his Bill signed off before Parliament is dissolved for the elections in May.

Thornton Greyhound Racing Stadium is all that remains in Scotland of a sport that thrived post-war, and it is the only flapper - or unlicensed - track still operating in the UK. It has not staged any races since early 2025.

Any ban would legally mark the end of the road for the track just short of its 90th anniversary - the gates at Thornton first opened on May 30, 1936, and was one of many to blossom in the 1940s and 1950s, with its core audience of working men coming from the Kingdom’s many pits as well as dockyards.

The vote was welcomed as a significant milestone for dog welfare by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. It came on the same day the organisation hosted an event in Holyrood, where it shared its manifesto for Scotland, and called on MSPs to work together to improve the welfare of the 1.15m dogs currently living in the country.

Owen Sharp, chief executive, said: “Each year, hundreds of dogs die or are seriously injured, all in the name of entertainment, and this is completely unacceptable. Off the track, many of the dogs involved are forced to live in poor conditions. We are pleased the Scottish Parliament has shown it is ready and willing to take decisive action to prevent further deaths and injuries.

“With both Scotland and Wales moving closer to ending greyhound racing, it’s time for the rest of the UK to follow suit and put a stop to this cruel form of entertainment once and for all.

“Dogs Trust, along with other animal welfare charities working across Scotland, is committed to working together to take in greyhounds involved in the industry should a phased end be introduced.”

While exports in the animal welfare sector across Scotland have long called for Greyhound racing to come to an end, the sport’s governing body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), has described the Bill as “confused” and “ill thought out.”

Putting his Bill before Parliament, Mr Ruskell said “Time and again, greyhound racing has been linked to injuries, neglect and sometimes even the death of dogs once they are no longer profitable.

“My Bill would permanently close the door on greyhound racing in Scotland. It bans the operation of racing tracks and makes it clear that this outdated, cruel industry has no future here. Scotland has stood against animal harm in the past, it’s time we put paws before profits.

“While I am hopeful that the Scottish Government will back my Bill, the parliamentary clock is ticking to pass this crucial legislation before this year’s election in May. Unless MSPs want to see more suffering and mistreatment of these gentle dogs, they must vote for my Bill and ensure it passes before Parliament dissolves."