3<\/p>\n Dogs were given visitor badges 3<\/p>\n The move has been branded bizarre 3<\/p>\n Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell wants to end greyhound racing<\/p>\n They allowed the dogs to keep their collars and coats on as they took part in their checks.<\/p>\n But their beds were then passed through scanners.<\/p>\n Staff at the reception then wrapped visitor passes around the necks of the hounds, which they were seen wearing throughout their visit to Holyrood.<\/p>\n A Holyrood source<\/a> said: \u201cSecurity staff were robust with the dogs. The visitor passes were no joke.\u201d<\/p>\n The checks were mocked by parliamentary sources, with a Scottish Tory insider joking: \u201cPeople will find this bizarre approach by Parliament staff as somewhat over the top or even barking mad.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s hoping they show some common sense if dogs visit Holyrood <\/a>again in support of other legislation, such as Maurice Golden\u2019s plans to crackdown on dog thefts.\u201d<\/p>\n The bizarre checks came despite security staff having prior knowledge of the animal\u2019s arrival to the Scottish Parliament, for an event to tie in with the launch of Mr Ruskell\u2019s member\u2019s bill.<\/p>\n A Scottish Green spokesman told us: \u201cAs far as we knew they were guests so they had to have passes.<\/p>\n \u201cThey may have gotten a lot of attention, but they were very well behaved guests.\u201d<\/p>\n Parly chiefs last night admitted they had searched the dogs \u201clike all visitors\u201d \u2014 but insisted the visitor passes were a \u201cbit of fun\u201d.<\/p>\n However, this was disputed by our insider who said staff insisted on the dogs wearing the lanyards.<\/p>\n A Holyrood spokesman<\/a> said: \u201cLike all visitors, the greyhounds and their baskets were searched by our security staff.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the wearing of \u2018visitor passes\u2019 was a bit of fun initiated by the photocall organisers to help promote the Bill.\u201d<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton’s beloved dog Roscoe diagnosed with pneumonia as carer gives health update<\/p>\n Some sources said they were surprised to see dogs in parliament, having believed they were not allowed in unless they were guide dogs or other working dogs.<\/p>\n But Holyrood will welcome more mutts to the Scottish Parliament<\/a> on Monday for the annual \u2018Dog of the Year\u2019 contest, run by the The Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust.<\/p>\n Mr Ruskell\u2019s rescued greyhound Bert, is in the running for top dog, alongside SNP MSP David Torrance\u2019s golden retriever Buster and Scottish Tory MSP Craig Hoy\u2019s black lab Roma.<\/p>\n Read more on the Scottish Sun<\/p>\n![\"Brindle](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/greyhounds_at_parliament__1_jpg-JS989484824.jpg\")
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