"Scottish Animal Welfare Activists Demand Halt to Greyhound Racing"
In Scotland, a significant movement is underway to end greyhound racing, with the introduction of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill in 2025 by Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell [1][2][3]. The bill aims to make greyhound racing illegal in Scotland, citing the high number of dog deaths and injuries in the industry as the reason for the ban effort.
The bill is currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament, with the Thornton Greyhound Stadium, located within Mark Ruskell's constituency, being the last unlicensed race track in Scotland [2]. If passed, the proposed legislation would directly impact the stadium's ability to continue hosting racing events legally.
The movement to ban greyhound racing in Scotland is part of a wider UK and international push against the sport, with Wales already legislating to ban it and other nations considering similar steps [1][2][3]. The campaign, launched by nine animal welfare organizations, has received support from Mark Ruskell and Scottish Green Party, and has been published on 12.06.2023 and last updated on 12.08.2024.
Animal welfare organizations are also working tirelessly to rehome retired racing dogs, as up to 50,000 dogs become unsuitable for competition each year [5]. Mark Ruskell has stated that no dog deserves to be forced into a gambling-dominated industry with an unacceptable risk of injury and death [4].
The decline in popularity of greyhound racing is evident, with more racetracks closing due to decreasing attendance and betting turnover, and betting on greyhound races being prohibited in the German-speaking world [6]. The long tradition of greyhound racing in Britain, Ireland, and the USA is gradually waning.
The future of greyhound racing in Scotland remains uncertain, as it is yet to be seen whether the government will meet the demands of animal welfare advocates to close the Thornton Greyhound Stadium and fully ban greyhound racing in Scotland. However, the Scottish government has pledged its basic support for the campaign.
| Item | Status/Details | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Movement to ban greyhound racing in Scotland | Active; Greyhound Racing (Offences) Bill introduced 2025 | | Thornton Greyhound Stadium | Last unlicensed track in Scotland; would be affected by ban | | Broader context | Wales is enacting a ban; calls for UK-wide actions continue |
References: [1] The Scotsman, "MSP introduces bill to ban greyhound racing in Scotland," 12.06.2023,
What is the current status of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) Bill in Scotland, introduced by Mark Ruskell in 2025? It is actively progressing through the Scottish Parliament, with the Thornton Greyhound Stadium within Mark Ruskell's constituency being the last unlicensed race track in Scotland, which would be directly impacted if the bill is passed. This movement is part of a wider push against greyhound racing, with Wales already legislating to ban it and other nations considering similar steps.
