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Greyhound racing will be outlawed in Wales after Senedd members voted overwhelmingly to ban the practice, in a move hailed as a “landmark moment” for animal welfare. 🐾
The legislation was passed by 39 votes to 10, with two MSs abstaining, bringing an end to the sport in Wales – where the only remaining track is Valley Greyhounds in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly county.
Under the new law, the ban could come into force as early as April 2027, or as late as April 2030.
How it came about
The ban originated from a deal between Labour Welsh ministers and Welsh Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds, who agreed to support the government’s budget in exchange for the legislation.
Speaking in the Senedd, she said: “By passing this bill, we will be saying as a nation that foreseeable and unavoidable harm to animals cannot be justified in the name of sport or in the service of gambling revenues.”
Legal challenge looms
However, the legislation faces a judicial review brought by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), which accuses the Welsh Government of failing to consult properly on the ban. A hearing took place in Cardiff last week, with a judgement expected within weeks.
Before the vote, it also emerged that civil servants had advised ministers there was insufficient evidence to justify a ban. In advice to Rural Affairs Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies, officials warned of a “high risk” of a court challenge, though they said the legislation was “clear and proportionate and deliverable”. Officials had instead recommended developing licensing proposals for owners, arguing this offered “the best balance of welfare gains” for greyhounds.
Ministers said they could not comment due to “ongoing litigation”.
Criticism from Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru’s Llyr Gruffydd argued the legislation had been rushed and contained significant gaps, saying it “doesn’t stop the breeding of greyhounds in Wales for racing. It doesn’t stop the training of greyhounds in Wales. For racing, dogs can still be kept in Wales, raced in England”.
Animal welfare groups celebrate
Dogs Trust chief Owen Sharp described the vote as a “landmark moment” for dog welfare.
The Cut the Chase coalition – made up of Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue, and RSPCA Cymru – also backed the decision, saying: “For too long, dogs have paid the price for this outdated form of entertainment, with injuries and deaths that are entirely preventable.”
The League Against Cruel Sports called for the ban to be implemented as quickly as possible, with the league’s Jamie Adair saying: “The death and injury toll of greyhound racing is quite simply shocking, and goes beyond what people see at the racetracks.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Parliament is set to discuss banning greyhound racing on Wednesday, although Scotland no longer has any active tracks following the closure of its last one in 2025.
