Scottish politicians just took a big step toward ending greyhound racing on oval tracks, even though no dogs have raced in the country for years. On 29 January 2025, MSPs backed Green MSP Mark Ruskell’s bill by 69 votes to 27, with 19 abstaining. Animal welfare groups celebrated, but the sport’s governing body called the move “meaningless” and politically driven.
The vote puts Scotland on course to become the first part of Great Britain to ban the practice, though the bill still faces two more parliamentary stages before it can become law.
No Tracks, But the Fight Goes On
Scotland’s last greyhound track, Thornton Stadium in Fife, stopped racing in 2022 after years of declining crowds and mounting losses. Shawfield in Glasgow closed even earlier. Right now, zero licensed greyhound races take place anywhere in Scotland.
Critics say that makes the ban purely symbolic. Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), told reporters the legislation will change nothing on the ground.
“This is meaningless legislation pushed through despite cross-party criticism,” Bird said. “It won’t save a single dog because there is simply no racing here to ban.”
Supporters disagree. They argue the bill sends a clear message and stops any chance of the sport coming back.
Mark Ruskell said the vote proves campaign pressure works. “Without this bill and the public campaign behind it, someone could open a new track tomorrow,” the Green MSP told the chamber.
Welfare Evidence Tips the Balance
Rural Affairs Secretary Jim Fairlie told MSPs the Scottish Government backs the bill because veterinary reports show greyhound racing carries “significant risk that cannot be eliminated.”
He pointed to studies that recorded thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths each year on British tracks. Common injuries include broken legs, spinal damage, and heart attacks during races.
Fairlie stressed the risks are tied directly to the high-speed oval format. Straight-track racing or training would still be allowed under the bill.
“The evidence gives us a solid animal welfare case,” Fairlie said. “Dogs are dying and getting seriously hurt for entertainment. That has to stop.”
Four members of the Rural Affairs Committee had earlier refused to back the bill, saying the case was not proven while no racing takes place. But their report was swept aside in the full vote.
What the Ban Would Actually Do
If passed, the new law would:
- Make it illegal to hold greyhound races on oval tracks in Scotland
- Allow Scottish dogs to continue racing in England and Wales (for now)
- Permit straight-track events and training
- Leave independent “flapping” tracks in England untouched
Animal charities say the loophole of sending Scottish dogs south is disappointing but still see the vote as a breakthrough.
Emma Slawinski, director of advocacy at the RSPCA, said: “This is a historic moment for greyhound welfare. Scotland is leading the way and showing the rest of the UK that change is possible.”
Wales and England Watch Closely
Wales is moving in the same direction. The Welsh Government wants a full ban, but the GBGB has launched a legal challenge claiming ministers ignored evidence that regulated tracks are safe.
In England, more than 55,000 people have signed a petition calling for a UK-wide ban, yet the Westminster government says it has “no plans” to act.
Campaigners hope Scotland’s vote adds pressure south of the border, where 16 licensed tracks still operate and roughly 4,000 racing greyhounds are kept.
The dogs run at speeds up to 40 mph, often on tight bends that put huge stress on their bodies. Vets say the thin-skinned breed is especially vulnerable to career-ending or fatal injuries.
One retired racer named Lucky, now living with a foster family in Edinburgh, still bears the scars on his legs from a crash three years ago. His story is one of thousands.
Scotland’s decision may not stop dogs suffering elsewhere tomorrow, but it draws a line in the sand. Lawmakers have said, clearly and loudly, that making animals risk their lives for sport is no longer acceptable here.
What do you think? Should the rest of the UK follow Scotland and Wales, or is regulated greyhound racing worth keeping? Drop your thoughts below.
