A coalition of nine animal welfare groups has applauded the Scottish Government’s backing of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill, a landmark proposal to ban greyhound racing in Scotland.

On the 29th August, in a letter to the RAI committee (the committee responsible for considering the Bill) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie confirmed the Scottish Government supported the general principles of the Bill. 

Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind co-ordinates the Unbound the Greyhound coalition of 9 animal welfare groups that are working together to end greyhound racing in Scotland. The coalition’s open letter urging the Government to end greyhound racing secured more than 22,600 signatures, including from high-profile celebrities, such as Chris Packham, Lucy Watson and David Olusoga. Almost 11,000 of the coalition’s supporters also wrote to their MSPs and Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie, urging them to back the Bill. 

The coalition has been working closely with Mark Ruskell MSP, who introduced the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill to the Scottish Parliament earlier this year. 

Eve Massie Bishop, OneKind’s Head of Campaigns and Media speaking on behalf of the coalition says: 

“A nation that considers itself a leader in animal welfare must do better than to permit an industry that has cost the lives of 3,957 dogs since 2017. This isn’t ‘entertainment’, it’s cruelty. And Scots have spoken: cruelty has no place in our national identity.” 

“The public's appetite for greyhound racing has dramatically dwindled, as awareness of the inherent suffering faced by dogs trapped in this dire industry has continued to grow. It's time to bring this outdated industry to an end and we’re grateful to the Scottish Government for backing a ban. 

The Bill has our full support as it progresses through Parliament.”

The Unbound the Greyhound coalition includes OneKind, GREY2K USA Worldwide, Say No To Greyhound Racing in Scotland, Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE), the League Against Cruel Sports, Hope Rescue, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG) and Animal Concern.