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

Yesterday, our Campaigner, Devon, and Policy & Research Lead, Annie, attended a nail-biting debate and vote on the first stage of the bill to ban greyhound racing in Scotland.

Read on for the key details of the debate, and - crucially - what happens next.

Greyhound racing survivor Sylvie (companion animal to our Executive Director Elena), has been a wonderful ambassadog since the beginning of this campaign. You can read Sylvie's story here, to see just why this ban is so important. 

The Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, would make it illegal to race a greyhound on an oval track in Scotland. Yesterday, the bill passed at stage 1 following a tense and, at times, deeply emotive debate in the chamber.

During the debate, many MSPs spoke powerfully in support of the bill's principles, highlighting the inherent risks associated with greyhound racing. They pointed to the staggering statistics on injuries and deaths suffered by dogs forced to race, and argued that Scotland must put paws before profit and live up to its reputation as a world leader in animal welfare. Currently, Scotland is one of only eight countries where commercial greyhound racing is legal. Wales and New Zealand are also in the process of passing bans. Animal Concern would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to MSPs who spoke out courageously for greyhounds, including Mark Ruskell, Gillian Mackay, Maggie Chapman, Christine Graham, Rona Mackay and Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie, who supported the bill on behalf of the Scottish government.

Mark Ruskell, who introduced this Member's Bill, speaking out unwaveringly on behalf of greyhounds yesterday. 

"Whether it’s one or one hundred greyhounds, this unnecessary harm should not be allowed to happen. Only by ending greyhound racing permanently, can we ensure this suffering ends."~ Mark Ruskell.

However, not all MSPs were convinced. Davy Russell, Labour MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse was particularly dismissive, accusing the bill of “wasting time” in parliament. Instead of recognising the well-documented suffering that racing causes to dogs, Mr Russell preferred to decry the “detrimental impact” the bill would apparently have on “certain constituent groups, namely elderly gentlemen who like a wee bet on the dogs or the horses.”

We would like to remind Mr Russell that those individuals are free to continue enjoying betting as a pastime, perhaps choosing sports such as football, golf or rugby, where participants are fully consenting and are not routinely discarded or killed when they are no longer profitable to their coaches.

Finlay Carson, Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries and convenor of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee, also opposed the bill, claiming there is not sufficient evidence in place to merit an outright ban. It’s disappointing that he chose to emphasise his personal view over the majority position of his own committee, which supported the general principles of the bill.

But when decision time came, hope and empathy prevailed: 69 in favour, 27 against.

A clear majority of Scotland’s Parliament has now agreed - greyhound racing has no place in a compassionate, modern nation.

This photograph was taken last spring, when the bill was first introduced.

So what happens next?

The bill will now pass to stage 2, where the fine details are scrutinised, and MSPs can propose amendments. This is where pro-racing lobbyists could step in and attempt to weaken the legislation, so we must all stay vigilant to ensure the bill is strengthened to protect greyhounds to do best of its ability.
 
This is the time to raise our voices, keep sharing posts, maintain public attention, and contact your MSPs to urge them to protect the bill, support greyhound welfare, and ensure no weakening amendments are passed.
 
Once stage 2 is passed, the bill will move to stage 3, the final vote. We’ll keep you posted. But until then, let's continue to keep the pressure on and see this bill make it over the finish line.

A great big greyhound “Thanks!” to everyone who has supported this bill at every step of the way.