Greyhound racing ban in Wales “a huge step forward for animal welfare”, says leading charities

Greyhound racing is set to be phased out in Wales, in a move that has been heralded as “a significant step forward” for dog welfare by the nation’s leading animal charities.

Earlier today, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, announced that the Welsh Government will support a ban on greyhound racing in Wales.

The Welsh Government wants greyhound racing to be phased out “as soon as possible” and will bring forward specific proposals on implementation in the near future.

Since 2018, more than 2,700 greyhounds have died or were put to sleep following their participation in greyhound racing in the UK*. As such, the news that it is to be banned in Wales has been lauded by Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and RSPCA Cymru. Collectively, as the Cut the Chase coalition, these leading animal welfare organisations have been campaigning alongside the general public to bring greyhound racing to an end in Wales – and across the UK – to stop the entirely preventable injuries and deaths of dogs involved in racing.

The Cut the Chase coalition believes that greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved, as running at speed around oval tracks can cause significant injury to many dogs. In some cases, the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog.

Chris Burghes, Chief Executive of Blue Cross, said: “We are delighted to hear the news that the Welsh Government have decided, further to their consultation last year, to end greyhound racing in Wales. 

“Alongside our colleagues from the Cut the Chase coalition we have been actively campaigning for a phased end to the sport since 2022. In that time, sadly, many more dogs have lost their lives or suffered serious injuries in the name of entertainment. The Welsh Government’s announcement today will save the lives of countless greyhounds across Wales. 

“This is a huge step forward for greyhounds, we thank the Welsh Government for leading the way on this issue and hope the rest of the UK takes the same view to cut out the sport once and for all.”  

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, said: “Today’s announcement that the Welsh Government is committed to ending greyhound racing marks a significant step forward for animal welfare. Over the past six years, more than 2,700 dogs have lost their lives in the UK in the name of entertainment, with many more suffering serious or life-changing injuries. This is unacceptable, and we are pleased the Senedd is ready and willing to take decisive action to prevent further deaths and injuries.

“There are now just four other countries worldwide where this cruel so-called sport still persists. With Wales now committed to ending greyhound racing, it’s time England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland followed suit and put a stop to this inhumane form of entertainment once and for all.”

Vanessa Waddon, Chief Executive Officer of Hope Rescue added: “With over 35,000 dog lovers signing our petition to ban greyhound racing in Wales, we’re delighted that Welsh Government have agreed that the only way to fully protect greyhounds is to end this inherently dangerous activity. We’re grateful to the Petitions Committee for their support in progressing our petition, and to the cross-party Senedd Members who have supported the Cut The Chase campaign. Wales is once again leading the way on animal welfare.”

Dr Samantha Gaines, Head of Companion Animals at the RSPCA, said: “This is an historic day for animal welfare in Wales; and will protect countless greyhounds from the inherent risks that come with competitive racing. 

“Greyhound racing has long been in decline as a leisure activity; and we know huge numbers of people have shared our concerns about the number of dogs across the UK dying or sustaining serious injury. 

“This campaign has been a monumental team effort – from the animal welfare groups involved, but also the animal-loving public across Wales who have made their voices heard loud and clear. With greyhound racing now continuing in so few countries, we hope the Welsh Government’s action sends a strong statement to the rest of the UK. 

“We now stand ready to work closely with the Welsh Government, the racing industry and racing greyhound owners to protect the dogs who will now exit competitive racing; and help find them a loving home.”

Tim Doyle, CEO of Greyhound Rescue Wales said: “This is a momentous day for greyhounds, an ancient and noble breed whose very recent history has been blighted by this cruel and unnecessary gambling product. We are pleased that the Welsh Government has put animal welfare first and added Wales to the extensive list of countries that have banned greyhound racing in recent years.

While greyhound racing in Wales has had a high profile of late, the reality is that this campaign has been decades in the making. We want to pay tribute to each and every one of the greyhound advocates out there who have fought tirelessly over many years to protect these dogs who have no voice of their own.

We are now hard at work with our partner rescues to coordinate and manage the rehoming of dogs leaving the industry, and we are committed to ensuring that no dog is made homeless by the end to greyhound racing in Wales.

Sadly, we know the numbers of greyhounds needing rehoming from the rest of the UK and Ireland is unlikely to decrease in the near future, and we still have a lot of ongoing work to find homes for these dogs across Wales and the borders. However, we hope that respective governments will now take notice of Wales leading the way in putting greyhound welfare above entertainment.”

The coalition’s priority has always been the welfare of the dogs involved in greyhound racing, and member organisations remain committed to ensuring that this is not negatively impacted by the ban. The coalition has sent an open letter to both the Valley Greyhound Stadium and the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) offering their support with displaced greyhounds needing rehoming both during the transitional period, and after racing ceases at the stadium.

The coalition hopes to see other nations follow Wales’ lead in ending the industry, with support for an end to greyhound racing in Scotland also growing. In July 2024, Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Mark Ruskell, whose constituency covers the last unlicensed racetrack in Scotland, secured the required support to table a Private Member’s Bill. The Proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill will soon be introduced to the Scottish Parliament and seeks to promote the welfare of the animals by introducing an offence of permitting a greyhound to compete at racetracks in Scotland.