In a historic win for animal welfare, Wales has moved to ban greyhound racing following a decisive vote in the Senedd, while Scotland has passed legislation outlawing the sport altogether.

According to the League Against Cruel Sports, in 2024, there were 123 greyhound fatalities recorded at licensed tracks in Great Britain, and 3,809 injuries were reported to racing greyhounds.

Since 2017, the industry has recorded hundreds of deaths each year and thousands of injuries: at least 1,357 trackside fatalities and more than 35,000 injuries over that period.

On March 17, 2026, members of the Welsh Senedd voted 39 to 10 in favor of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill, which will make it illegal to operate greyhound racing venues or organize races in the country.

The ban is expected to be implemented in stages between April 2027 and April 2030. Wales currently has only one active track, Valley Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly county.

Animal welfare groups hailed the vote as a major victory for greyhounds. Jamie Adair of the League Against Cruel Sports stated:

“The death and injury toll of greyhound racing is quite simply shocking, and goes beyond what people see at the racetracks.”

Owen Sharp, chief of Dogs Trust, called the decision a “landmark moment” for dog welfare.

Welsh Democrat Jane Dodds, a supporter of the bill, added that it sends a clear message:

“Foreseeable and unavoidable harm to animals cannot be justified in the name of sport or in the service of gambling revenues.”

Despite some legal challenges and criticism, supporters say the legislation is a historic step toward protecting greyhounds from unnecessary harm.

The following day, on March 18, 2026, the Scottish Parliament voted to pass the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill, effectively banning greyhound racing in Scotland. The bill, introduced by Green MSP Mark Russell, makes it illegal for greyhounds to race on oval tracks, with penalties including fines and up to five years in prison. During debate, Russell told MSPs:

“Racing greyhounds at up to speeds of 40pmh around an oval track results in catastrophic injuries and deaths. Dogs break their legs, break their backs, end up paralysed and with serious head trauma.”

Scotland’s last remaining track, Thornton Stadium in Kirkcaldy, Fife, closed in 2025, leaving the country without active racing venues. Supporters say the legislation prevents future harm and aligns Scotland with other countries that have already outlawed the cruel sport.

In recent years, the industry has sharply declined. Advocates point to injury data and the number of greyhounds killed to highlight the risks faced by racing dogs. The back-to-back actions in Wales and Scotland mark a historic moment for animal welfare, signaling that the UK is moving to end greyhound racing and protect dogs from avoidable harm, another historic win for animal welfare.