New report on greyhound racing in Scotland
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has published a report on the welfare of racing greyhounds in Scotland.
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) has published a report on the welfare of greyhounds used for racing in Scotland.
The report follows a petition by the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment (RAINE) committee calling for an end to greyhound racing in Scotland, and a campaign by Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Blue Cross calling for a phased end to greyhound racing in the UK.
In its findings, the report concluded that although dogs enjoy the opportunity to run and chase a lure, there are several causes of welfare concern, including the risk of injury or death at the track, the amount of time racing dogs spend in kennels, and the risk of neglect at the end of a dogs career.
There is one remaining greyhound stadium in Scotland, which is not regulated by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB). The report recommends that an experienced, independent veterinarian should be present at the track when dogs are racing to provide immediate care when needed, and assess whether dogs are fit to race.
The report strongly recommends against any future developments for additional racetracks in Scotland.
Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA director of innovation and strategic relations said: “Though the Scottish SPCA supports a phased end to greyhound racing in Scotland, we are pleased with the SAWC report and the analysis and research it contains for evidence regarding greyhound racing.
“We are hopeful that this report will be supported by the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment (RAINE) Committee during its next meeting in Holyrood on 15 March and will lead to a phased end to this outdated industry."
GBGB CEO, Mark Bird said: “We share a common goal with SAWC of protecting and promoting greyhound welfare in Scotland. But we are clear that strong and effective regulation is the only way to do this successfully and have therefore been working with Holyrood officials to support Scotland’s one unregulated track to be licensed.
“Under our remit, racing greyhounds receive far more protection than domestic dogs. We have over 200 Rules governing those within the sport, including the requirement that a veterinary surgeon is present before, during and after any racing, and setting strict standards on the care of greyhounds at tracks, during transportation and at home in their trainers’ residential kennels.”
The full report can be viewed here.
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