Support for Greyhound Racing in Wales

Petition in support of Greyhound Racing in Wales hits 10k target in 6 weeks

~ Petition launched by Valley Greyhound Stadium, Ystrad Mynach, has gained 10k signatures and will now be considered for a debate in the Senedd~

~ The Valley is nearing the completion of work at the track towards becoming regulated, which will bring additional welfare benefits ~

~ Improved Valley facilities to benefit the local community and attract more visitors to the venue ~

A Senedd petition put forward in support of greyhound racing in Wales hit the 10,000 signature target on Easter Monday after being launched on 22 February 2023.  

With months still to go until the petition closes in August, the petition has been rapidly gaining support since its launch and reached its target in a little over six weeks. In achieving the 10,000 signature threshold, the petition will now be considered for a full debate in the Senedd.

Local Welsh and worldwide support for the petition has ensured it has consistently had one of the fastest growing tallies compared to the others active on the Petitions Committee site. Valley Greyhound Stadium, in Ystrad Mynach, launched the petition to demonstrate the popularity of the sport and to counter recent activism against greyhound racing in Wales. The rate of growth for the petition has sent a clear message that there is indeed significant support for the continuation of the sport under regulation.

Valley Greyhound Stadium is operating as an independent track and is the only greyhound track in operation in Wales.  It has been undergoing a process of development which will enable it to seek to become regulated under the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). This would bring a large number of benefits, in particular through ensuring the highest standards of greyhound welfare. Under GBGB’s over 200 Rules of Racing, all greyhounds would be carefully monitored and supported across their lifetime.

Malcom Tams of Valley Greyhound Stadium said:

“Our campaign to raise 10,000 signatures to be considered for a ‘support greyhound racing’ debate in the Senedd has got off to the best possible start. We are pleased to see such a swift response from people to sign the petition and we thank them for supporting us to reach our target. This is the springboard we needed to put the argument in favour of racing firmly forward and challenge the rhetoric that we have heard. We ask that we are afforded fair and equal recognition for our campaign and for the popularity and historic role that greyhound racing holds in Wales.

“We had support to sign our petition from the horse racing community and other sporting animal enthusiasts who are concerned about the influence of an animal rights agenda which is threatening bans on sporting and working animals, farming and fisheries and even whether we are allowed to keep pets. This is a significant risk for all activities involving animals and represents an extreme agenda that would wipe out livelihoods, pastimes and hobbies that are intrinsic to Welsh communities.

“Racing greyhounds are the fastest of the sighthound breeds with an urge to fulfil their passion for the thrill of competitive chase. We understand their needs and our team at the Valley constantly strives to provide the highest standard of animal welfare by maintaining a safe environment for our greyhounds. We want to further improve standards, however, which is why we are committed to becoming licensed to race under the Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s regulations. This process is one we initiated of our own accord two years ago and, with the facility improvements we are putting in place, we hope to seek our GBGB licence by the end of April.

“The petition has demonstrated the support for the sport and its value to communities and livelihoods here in Wales. The recent developments at the Stadium and modernisation of the facilities will benefit the local community as The Valley is valued as a community hub for hosting all sorts of social events for the people of Ystrad Mynach and the surrounding area.  We also provide a unique experience for tourists in Wales and tourism will boost the local economy.

“We must keep this historic sport alive within Wales and we believe that racing under regulation is the best option to deliver the best welfare outcomes for racing greyhounds.”

The petition is available here: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245373.