Wales announces plans to be the first UK nation to ban greyhound racing!

In a statement to the Senedd, Irranca-Davies said that he has listened to the strength of feeling towards a ban on greyhound racing in Wales. This decision has followed a petition which reached over 35,000 signatures, the work of the Cut the Chase coalition and a Welsh consultation launched last year on the licensing of animal activities in Wales. Over two thirds of respondents stated that they supported a phased ban on greyhound racing.

It is now time for the UK government to follow suit, Animal Aid will be campaigning for this change. In 2023, 109 dogs died trackside as a result of racing, and there were 4,238 recorded injuries. Not only do dogs face the risk of injury and death every time they race – but their lives away from the track are restricted and often bleak too. Dogs live in kennels, with little access to enrichment or play, and are often muzzled for most of the day. Their kennels can be dank and gloomy.

Once no longer winning money for their owners and trainers, dogs are vulnerable. There are countless tales of greyhounds being killed in unthinkable ways because they are not deemed to be profitable. This includes dogs being thrown into the sea, shot and buried in mass graves, and shipped to places such as China and Pakistan. There, they will be used to breed from and sold for meat. Their children will end up racing illegally.

It is estimated that there are currently 2,500 dogs in trainers’ kennels awaiting a spot to become available at a rescue centre. This is simply unacceptable. The racing industry continue to breed thousands of greyhounds each year (over 80% of dogs that race in Britain are exported from Ireland) – and yet there is not the room of infrastructure to ensure that these dogs are guaranteed the life they deserve. Instead, the work to rehome these gentle dogs is left to amazing rescue organisations – who are already at ‘breaking point’.

No animal should suffer in the name of ‘sport’. There is no justification for this cruel practice to continue, and we will be campaigning for England to follow in Wales’ compassionate footsteps.

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