Welsh Government Announces Landmark Decision to End Greyhound Racing

Wales has once again led the way in animal welfare, as the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, announced that now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales, making Wales the first nation in the UK to introduce a ban. 

The announcement comes following the successful campaign work led by the Cut the Chase coalition, which includes the charities Hope Rescue, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, and the RSPCA. The League Against Cruel Sports was proud to work closely with the coalition, supporting their efforts in advocating for change.  

In September 2021, Hope Rescue launched a petition in the Senedd to ban greyhound racing in Wales, which received over 35,000 signatures, making it one of the most-signed petitions in Senedd history. In addition, the Welsh Government's consultation on a national model for animal welfare saw nearly two-thirds of responses support a proposed end to greyhound racing. Out of the total 1,180 responses, 292 came from League Against Cruel Sports supporters, with a significant 234 of these responses from people in Wales. 

We would like to extend a special thank you to League supporters who, in their hundreds, submitted their own consultation responses through our email action, adding their voices to the calls of thousands of compassionate campaigners across Wales in calling for a ban. 

Will Morton, head of Public Affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: 

We are delighted that the Welsh Government has listened to all those who, like us, have clamoured for a ban on greyhound racing in Wales. Thank you to all who took part in this consultation. We are ready to engage with the Welsh Government on how this ban can be implemented. We also invite the Westminster Government to take note of this development and implement its own ban on greyhound racing in the United Kingdom 

While there is still much work to be done to safeguard the well-being and safety of the greyhounds, as well as their owners and the community involved around the racetrack, this announcement marks an important first step. The League Against Cruel Sports remains committed to supporting the Welsh Government and working alongside partners to ensure a smooth transition, continuing to advocate for and prioritise the welfare of greyhounds at the heart of all decision-making. 

Welfare Issues 

In 2023, Greyhound Board of Great Britain revealed 109 trackside deaths and 4,238 injuries across the UK’s 20 licensed tracks. Additionally, 427 greyhounds died off-track, many euthanised for medical reasons or on "humane grounds," while 55 were put to sleep after being deemed unsuitable for rehoming and their lack of use within the industry. In Wales, Hope Rescue’s Amazing Greys project assisted over 200 greyhounds between 2018 and 2021.  

A report by the League Against Cruel Sports and GREY2K USA Worldwide highlighted widespread abuse in greyhound racing, with many dogs spending 95% of their time in barren kennels, facing mistreatment, doping, and abandonment. AnimalAid also raised concerns around overbreeding in the industry, with large numbers of puppies either never making it to the track or going ‘missing’ before registration. 

These practices highlight the serious ethical concerns surrounding the treatment of animals in greyhound racing, and why Wales is taking a huge leap to ensure the welfare of greyhounds by introducing a ban. 

What Next?  

The Welsh Government will now set up an Implementation Group. The Group will engage with stakeholders and advise the Government on how a ban will come into force, the legislative approach, as well as a timeline for delivery. 

The group will also aim to learn from other countries approaches, such as New Zealand where the government is bringing forward a Bill to end greyhound racing, to allow time for the rehoming of racing dogs and for people in the industry to transition to other jobs. 

Greyhound racing continues to take place in only six countries (excluding Wales and New Zealand). Commercial dog racing remains in Australia, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the United States (specifically in West Virginia). 

Find out more 

This victory serves as a strong precedent for the rest of the UK, to create a future where greyhounds are no longer exploited or subjected to the harsh conditions of the racing industry.  

Please see below for more information about how you can stand up against greyhound racing across the rest of the UK, and other ways you can support our ongoing work.