![\"Greyhound](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2_JS284815379.jpg\")
Greyhound racing set for ban in Scotland(Image: Getty)<\/p>\nSUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who was inspired to campaign for the change after adopting an abandoned ex-racing greyhound, told of his delight.Greyhound racing set for ban in Scotland(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
Greyhound racing is to be banned throughout Scotland after an MSP\u2019s bid to outlaw the controversial sport won SNP backing.<\/a><\/p>\n Mark Ruskell, of the Scottish Greens, said he was \u201cdelighted\u201d after Holyrood ministers wrote to him last week revealing they would back the principles of his Bill to ban dog tracks.<\/p>\n In April, the Sunday Mail highlighted<\/a> Ruskell\u2019s long-running campaign to end the sport \u2013 triggered by rescuing an abandoned racing \u00adgreyhound with a broken leg.<\/p>\n He told us how Bert, 13, has become a beloved family pet<\/a> but was initially riddled with anxieties and injuries from his track career when they adopted him more than a decade earlier.<\/p>\n In a letter to Ruskell seen by the Sunday Mail<\/a>, \u00adagriculture minister Jim Fairlie said the Scottish Government would back the legislation, noting \u201cthere are genuine risks \u00adassociated with racing greyhounds around tracks of oval design and this is supported by evidence\u201d.<\/p>\n Data from 2023 shows 109 greyhounds<\/a> died trackside in the UK and 4238 more were injured. Ruskell said: \u201cI am really grateful to the Sunday Mail<\/a> for shining a light on the terrible damage done by racing.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw lots of people sharing Bert\u2019s story after the Sunday Mail published it<\/a>, and there are dogs like him all over Scotland. When I rescued him, he was two years old and had been discarded with a broken leg that had never been properly treated.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s now 13 and a different dog<\/a> who has brought such love into our family. He should never have been put through trauma caused by racing.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no safe way to force dogs to run around a curved track at 40mph, and I look forward to working with the Scottish Government<\/a> and MSPs from all parties to end it.\u201d<\/p>\n It comes after the Welsh government announced plans this year to ban greyhound racing, as did New Zealand.<\/a><\/p>\n The RSPCA said only nine countries in the world still allow commercial greyhound racing, including all four UK nations.<\/p>\n Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Ruskell added: \u201cI am delighted that the government<\/a> is backing my bill. If we are a nation of dog lovers then we need to back that up with words and deeds, and deliver real protections.\u201d<\/p>\n The proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill would make it an offence to race greyhounds at tracks in Scotland.<\/p>\n The closure of Shawfield Stadium in Rutherglen in 2020 means Thornton Stadium in Fife is Scotland\u2019s last greyhound racing track.<\/a><\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Animal<\/a> charities were delighted by the news. Eve Massie Bishop of animal welfare charity OneKind, which leads the Unbound the Greyhound coalition against racing, said: \u201cA nation that considers itself a leader in animal welfare must do better than to permit an industry that has cost the lives of 3957 dogs since 2017.<\/p>\n \u201cScots have spoken: cruelty has no place in our national identity. It\u2019s time to bring this outdated industry to an end and we\u2019re thrilled that the Scottish Government<\/a> is backing this proposed ban.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Scottish](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3_JS116692361.jpg\")
Scottish Greens’ Mark Ruskell and his dog Bert. <\/p>\n![\"Thornton](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_utilsjpeg.jpg\")
Thornton Stadium near Kirkcaldy the last greyhound track left in Scotland. ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
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