One Step Closer to Ending Greyhound Racing in Wales

The Welsh Government has published draft legislation to ban greyhound racing. While welcomed, campaigners urge stronger measures to prevent breeding for racing elsewhere and call for a short transition period, learning from New Zealand’s experience to protect greyhound welfare.

The Welsh Government has published details of its draft bill for the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales), following its announcement in February that now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing.

This is a welcome step and brings us closer to ending greyhound racing in Wales. In its current form, the Bill would make it a criminal offence to:

• Operate a stadium or similar venue in Wales for greyhound racing, or knowingly permit it to be used for that purpose.
• Be involved in organising greyhound racing in Wales, including training or timing greyhounds on a track using mechanical lures.

Importantly, it would also prevent greyhounds from being schooled for racing within Wales – activities that carry the same welfare risks as racing itself, only for the dogs to then be raced elsewhere.

Key Considerations

The Cut the Chase Coalition, which includes the charities Hope Rescue, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, and the RSPCA, has welcomed the publication of this landmark draft legislation.

However, the Coalition also highlights elements where the Bill could be strengthened, particularly around provisions that would still allow owners to breed and/or keep greyhounds in Wales to be raced elsewhere. The League echoes these concerns and agrees that tightening the legislation in this area is necessary to ensure Wales does not find itself facilitating harm to greyhounds elsewhere in the UK.

Lessons from New Zealand

In December 2024, New Zealand announced a phase-out of greyhound racing, with a full ban to take effect by July 2026.

Recently, the League Against Cruel Sports invited the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) New Zealand to share their experiences with the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Animal Welfare, which includes members of the Welsh Government’s Implementation Group. Dr Arnja Dale, Chief Scientific Officer, and Dr Alison Vaughan, Scientific Officer, at the SPCA, shared key lessons of their experience implementing the ban, to safeguard greyhound welfare during the wind-down period. For example, introducing emergency legislation to stop healthy greyhounds from being destroyed, backed by welfare and traceability audits of kennels and rehoming partners to prevent dogs going missing, and scaling up rehoming capacity ahead of industry closure

Alarmingly, the SPCA reported that in the penultimate year of racing in New Zealand before the ban takes effect, injuries to greyhounds rose sharply: more than 800 dogs were injured, including 114 broken bones, and 17 deaths. 

The Road Ahead for Wales

In Wales, the Bill could see racing end as early as 2027, but provisions may allow it to continue until 2030. Each year racing is permitted to continue puts more dogs at risk of injury and death.  Learning from New Zealand’s experience, we must ensure a clear and short transition period to prevent prolonged suffering for greyhounds.

While the Bill is still subject to revision and has not yet been opened for public consultation, its publication signals the Welsh Government’s clear intent to phase out greyhound racing. The Welsh Government has confirmed that further scrutiny and discussion will take place once the Senedd reconvenes following the summer recess.

Wider Momentum across the UK

Momentum is building beyond Wales. The Scottish Government has now confirmed its support for a ban, backing Green MSP Mark Ruskell’s Bill to phase-out greyhound racing. Ruskell welcomed the announcement, saying:

“With Wales and New Zealand taking action, we can’t let Scotland fall behind the pack... This is a big step towards ensuring that we protect our greyhounds and halt this cruel gambling-led sport for good.”

Together, these developments represent real progress across the UK and internationally in the effort to end greyhound racing for good.

Please see below for more information about how you can take action today: use our simple tool to contact your MP and urge them to support a ban on greyhound racing elsewhere in the UK.

Further Information/Gwybodaeth Bellach

Jamie Adair
Public Affairs Officer (Wales)
League Against Cruel Sports
Jamieadair@league.org.uk