2<\/p>\n A bill to ban greyhound racing has been formally lodged at HolyroodCredit: AP<\/p>\n His member’s Bill already has the support of animal<\/a> welfare campaigners and now Mr Ruskell is calling on his fellow MSPs to get behind it.<\/p>\n Speaking ahead of lodging the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, the Green MSP – who has a former racing greyhound as a pet – said: “This is a milestone moment for my Bill and I am grateful to all of the MSPs and campaigners who have helped us to get to this stage.<\/p>\n “Greyhound racing is a cruel sport<\/a> that causes a huge amount of harm to dogs. Far too many have been killed or badly injured on the tracks.<\/p>\n “There is no safe or humane way to force a group of dogs to run around an oval track at 40 mph and it is totally wrong to make them do it in the name of profit.”<\/p>\n READ MORE GREYHOUND RACING<\/p>\n His Bill comes after the Welsh Government<\/a> announced in February that greyhound racing will be banned there “as soon as practically possible”.<\/p>\n The Green MSP added: “With Wales<\/a> taking action, Scotland<\/a> is looking increasingly isolated in allowing this gambling-led spectacle to continue.<\/p>\n “I hope that the Scottish Government and MSPs from all parties will support me, and that we can get my Bill over the line and end greyhound racing for good.”<\/p>\n Scotland currently has one track, the Thornton greyhound track in Fife.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the Unbound the Greyhound coalition said the sport was a “dying industry where dogs are nothing more than commodities in a gambling-led pastime”.<\/p>\n The spokesperson said: “We wholeheartedly welcome the proposed Bill to end the exploitation of these gentle dogs.<\/p>\n “The Scottish Parliament has a landmark opportunity to advance animal welfare and we urge parliamentarians to show compassion and support the Bill to end greyhound racing.”<\/p>\n Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said: “To be clear, there is no licensed greyhound racing taking place in Scotland today. <\/p>\n “As such, this is not a Bill which has any relevance to the people of Scotland – particularly when there are so many other pressing issues affecting their daily lives.<\/p>\n “Unfortunately, this is a confused and ill thought-out piece of legislation with implications that go well beyond the remit of racing greyhounds in Scotland. <\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n A popular sport could be banned in Scotland after a ‘milestone moment’Credit: PA<\/p>\n “It says more about Mark Ruskell’s vested interests than the wellbeing of animals and any ban would simply jeopardise the welfare of greyhounds.<\/p>\n “We have submitted considerable evidence to the RAI committee and have had positive meetings with them about the importance and effectiveness of strong regulation. <\/p>\n “We also provided significant evidence to Mr Ruskell’s own consultation which he failed to reflect or consider. <\/p>\n “This Bill ignores the substantial evidence which proves the need for effective regulation to safeguard greyhound welfare.<\/p>\n “Anyone in Scotland whose hospital appointment has been cancelled, or whose school standards have slipped, will wonder why on earth the Scottish Parliament<\/a> is giving this any time when there are actual priorities for the country. <\/p>\n “The electorate will be confused and disgusted that parliamentary time is being given to this.<\/p>\n “Mr Ruskell cites the dodgy backroom deal between the Welsh Government and the single Liberal Democrat Senedd Member to secure the passing of their Budget by agreeing to consider a ban on greyhound racing in Wales as if this was, in any way, something laudable. <\/p>\n Read more on the Scottish Sun<\/p>\n “The significant criticism that this backroom deal received across the board demonstrates the folly of this kind of politics.<\/p>\n![\"Greyhounds](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/greyhounds-race-southland-greyhound-racing-956157036.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Spectators](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1937-track-mainstay-greyhound-racing-965156487.jpg\")
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