In a big win for greyhounds and animal welfare advocates, Scotland and Wales have both banned greyhound racing this week. Momentum is building. The Tasmanian Parliament has the opportunity to show real leadership on animal welfare and join the growing list of countries protecting these beautiful dogs.
Greens MSP Mark Ruskell’s bill shuts down the last remaining track in Scotland which was shut to racing early last year. In Wales, the ban will come into force between 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2030, with a transition period allowing industry wind down.
This significant animal justice reform brings the suffering and cruelty of greyhound racing to an end in two UK countries. They join a number of other countries in banning greyhound racing, including New Zealand, whose ban comes into effect in July of this year.
Greyhound racing is also illegal in the ACT following evidence of cruelty and firming public opinion against the industry. The industry’s business model requires an excess of breeding, and trades on the neglect, injury and early death of these beautiful, intelligent dogs.
Just since 1 January this year, seven greyhounds registered to race in Tasmania have died – either as a result of on-track injuries, or sickness including kennel cough. In the same ten week period, stewards’ reports confirm 40 dogs have been injured as a result of racing.
These confronting statistics are made even worse by the fact that for four of those weeks, greyhound races had been cancelled due to the kennel cough outbreak.
Scotland and Wales have joined the countries who’ve been a voice for the dogs, and the people who want to see them treated the way they deserve – in loving homes. Tasmania has a once in a generation opportunity to join other jurisdictions and end the state-subsidised exploitation, injury and death being inflicted on sentient creatures.
