MAJOR WIN: Bill to ban greyhound racing passes Stage 2!

The Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill has passed at Stage 2 following today’s meeting on amendments. The Bill, introduced by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, seeks to make it illegal to race a greyhound on an oval track in Scotland. Currently, Scotland is one of only 8 countries that have not banned commercial greyhound racing.

Our Executive Director Elena’s greyhound Sylvie is a racing survivor and has been a brilliant ambassadog since the beginning of this campaign. You can read Sylvie's story here, to see why this ban is so important. 

Amendments proposed by Minister Jim Fairlie which bring the Bill in line with the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and make clear that greyhound owners in Scotland are still free to race their dogs in another country, where racing is legal, were passed.

The greyhound racing industry is plagued with serious issues such as deaths, injuries and doping. Animal Concern would like to extend our thanks to MSPs on the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee who voted in favour of greyhounds this morning: Finlay Carson MSP, Alasdair Allan MSP, Tim Eagle MSP, Emma Harper MSP, Evelyn Tweed MSP, Beatrice Wishart MSP, Ariane Burgess MSP, Rhoda Grant MSP, and Emma Roddick MSP.

We are delighted that MSPs decided to advance the Bill to the next stage. This sends a clear message that greyhound racing has no place in our country.

What happens next?

The Bill will now pass to the third and final stage, the date of which has not yet been confirmed.
 
This is the time to raise our voices, keep sharing information, maintain public attention, and contact MSPs to ensure that no weakening amendments are passed and to urge them to get the Bill over the finish line.

Animal Concern extends our thanks to everyone who has supported this important Bill at each step of the way!