End Greyhound Racing in Scotland
The Dangers of Dog Racing
Between 2018 and 2021, 2,412 dogs died from racing and a further 17,930 were injured. Running at high speeds around an oval track carries great risk of leg injury and strain. The industry is heavily associated with dog doping and abuse throughout the animals’ lives - from artificial insemination for breeding to inadequate socialisation, poor living and transporting environments and by extension lack of regulation around the conditions of racing dog kennels, the use of oestrus suppressants to enable racing and poor levels of veterinary and dental care.
The Situation in Scotland
Scotland only has one remaining dog racing track left in operation - an amateur track at Thornton in Fife. This is an unlicensed track which means it is not accountable to even the minimal level of the regulatory standards set by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).
Because it is unregulated, there are very few records kept of injury and other welfare metrics. Moreover, the dogs that race are owned by “amateurs” which only worsens the lack of transparency around their living conditions when not at the track.
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission published a report in March 2023 recommending a phasing out of greyhound racing in Scotland. It acknowledged it was difficult to determine the level of dog welfare due to a lack of data. However, it did conclude that the risk of injury and poor living conditions was simply too high, recommending that no new tracks be established in Scotland and that the races at Thornton be observed by a vet, who could over time help determine the level of dog welfare there and inform the decision to close down the track.
#UnboundTheGreyhound
Upon the success of a government petition to end the “sport” of greyhound racing in Scotland, set up by members of Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE), a group of animal advocacy groups banded together to support the cause. The petition amassed a huge amount of public support, the 5th most signed in the history of Scottish Parliament, with 92% of respondents in favour of a ban.
Coordinated by OneKind - SAGE, Say No To Greyhound Racing In Scotland, the League Against Cruel Sports, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, Grey2K USA, Hope Rescue Wales, the All Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group as well as Animal Concern launched a campaign entitled Unbound The Greyhound in June 2023 to put pressure on the Scottish Government to end dog racing in Scotland.