It’s been nearly 100 years since the starting gun fired at the UK’s first official greyhound race. Ever since that first race at Manchester’s Bellevue Stadium in 1926, the sport has drawn lots of criticism and controversy. And now, Wales is set to become the first UK nation to ban it altogether.
In an announcement on Tuesday, Welsh deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies that ‘now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales’.
The decision followed a consultation with more than 1,100 responses and a petition to ban greyhound racing, which became one of the most popular petitions on the Senedd's website with more than 35,000 signatures. In the consultation, more than a third of respondents said they were in favour of phasing out the sport.
According to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, more than 2,700 dogs have died or been put to sleep after taking part in a race since 2018. Cut the Chase, a coalition of animal welfare charities including Dog’s Trust and Blue Cross, said: ‘Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved.’
He added: ‘There will be work to do in ensuring the dogs, their owners and those involved in the industry around the racetrack, can wind down from this activity while still protecting the welfare of dogs currently within the industry, the local community and the local economy.’
The Betting and Gaming Council has hit back at the ban, though. In a statement it said: ‘Greyhound racing is a working-class sport, enjoyed by thousands, and this draconian move will cost jobs, hurt the economy, while depriving people of a long established and legitimate source of joy.’
The UK is one of just four countries that still allows greyhound racing, next to the US, Australia and Ireland. There are currently 19 licensed dog racing tracks across the country. Wales actually only has one dog-racing track: the Valley Stadium in Ystrad Mynach. One of London’s last tracks recently closed for good.
Though no official date has been set for the ban, the deputy first minister said he wants it to come into force ‘as soon as practically possible’.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.