Will the Wales Greyhound ban affect England?

Questions are raised over the future of greyhound racing in England following the recent decision to ban the sport in Wales.

The UK Greyhound racing industry has always faced scrutiny, but since February when Wales announced their plans to completely ban greyhound racing questions have been raised on whether this ban may affect England, specifically Brighton who houses a greyhound racing track in Hove.

This decision was part of a political deal with Labour ministers and the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader to pass the budget through the Senedd. Despite this ban being politically motivated this decision may still influence England as campaigners and animal rights activists see this as the start of fully banning greyhound racing in the whole of the UK which can be reflected through recent petitions over the past 5 years in regards to banning greyhound racing in the whole of the UK all together getting almost 150,000 signatures, however despite this the UK government has stated they have no plans on implementing a ban.

In response to being asked about the future on greyhound racing in the UK Brighton Retired Greyhounds, an independent charity that focuses on rehoming greyhounds that no longer race, said: “Greyhound racing in England & Northern Ireland does not appear to be under any kind of threat from government in Westminster.” While this is the legal reality there is no acknowledgment of the large number of campaigners in England that are against Greyhound racing.

Yet for animal rights organisation such as PETA the ban is just one of multiple indicators that the sport is coming to an end as PETA stated: “With Wales announcing that the country intends to enact a total ban on greyhound racing and more stadiums across the UK shutting their doors for good due to falling attendance, it’s clear that the British public isn't interested in watching dogs being exploited for a bet.”

This rings true as within this year alone Crayford and Swindon stadium have closed their greyhound tracks. When the sport was at its peak in the 1940s there were once 77 licensed tracks and over 200 unlicensed tracks all over the UK, however, today there are only 19 licensed Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) tracks in England and Wales and a single unlicensed track in Scotland, showing the diminishing public interest and decline of the sport.

One of the main reasons that greyhound racing is criticised is due to concerns over the welfare of the animals and the general ethics that surround greyhound racing. Greyhound trainer Jon Bozzoni countered these criticisms stating: “Greyhounds are born to race; they get a far higher level of care than most pet dogs and the sport has done everything asked to ensure the welfare of Greyhounds is number 1 priority including a bond scheme to ensure Greyhounds have a good life after retiring from the track.” This showcases one of the large divides between the supporters and critics of the sport as supporters view the industry’s efforts to improve animal welfare as satisfactory while animal rights groups believe these to be insufficient including PETA and CAGED Nationwide, the largest protection group of greyhounds in the UK.

CAGED shared incidents in regard to the ethics of the industry: “Nobody forgets the disposal of thousands of dogs in 2006, or the 2019 RTE documentary that was aired during Prime Time TV, showing a shocking exposure of greyhounds being shot through the head at Irish knackeries; 'Ireland' is the breeding ground for over 80% of British raced greyhounds.” PETA added: “Nothing short of a total ban on greyhound racing will protect dogs from this hideously abusive “sport”. Dogs used for racing are denied the love and companionship they deserve. Instead, they’re treated as money-making machines, often kept muzzled in barren cages for up to 23 hours a day and let out only to race, where they risk broken legs, heat stroke, and heart attacks.”

These claims highlight the issues with greyhound racing and argue that the industry priorities profit over the welfare of the animals. Siân Berry, the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion also shared similar thoughts as she stated: “It isn’t people going and enjoying the sport, it is mainly so that gambling companies can make money.” more…

When asked about the transparency of the industry, especially in regard to dog injuries and deaths Peta said: “The figures reported by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) – the self-regulating industry body – are not accurate, but its own figures report thousands of dogs who have lost their lives and many more injured. The suffering of dogs is an intrinsic part of the racing industry.” Highlighting the issues of credibility due to the GBGB’s self-regulation.

According to their own most recent statistics the GBGB has shared on dog injuries and fatalities is from 2023 where there were 4,238 injuries and 109 fatalities, which animal rights activists would argue is still too high.

When contacted to comment both the GBGB and representatives of the Hove track declined to comment.

However, while animal rights groups campaign for the end of this sport there remains the issue of how a ban would be implemented. CAGED answer to this is: “If greyhound racing was by some miracle to be banned, we would strongly suggest a phase out over several years to protect the dogs from being destroyed. Rescue centres have been struggling with the overspill of greyhounds for decades. However, as the number of tracks becomes less, the pressure should ease.” This highlights the issues that would arise with banning greyhound racing and puts an emphasis on how there would need to be long term changes to keep the animals’ best interests at heart.

In conclusion the Welsh ban may have no legislative effect on England, but public opposition of greyhound racing and coupled with the many closures of racetracks suggest that greyhound racing remains to have an unstable future.

Bibliography:

Berry, S. (2025). Interview with Siân Berry. Interviewed by Sydney Garrick, 7 March.

Bozzoni, J. (2025). Interview with Jon Bozzoni. Interviewed by Sydney Garrick. 6 March.

Butler, B. (2025) “More than 70 years of greyhound racing at Abbey Stadium in Swindon set to end later this year”, Insider Media, 19 March. Available at: More than 70 years of greyhound racing at Abbey Stadium in Swindon set to end later this year | Insider Media (Accessed: 25 April).

Caged Nationwide. (2025). Interview with Rita member of Caged nationwide. Interviewed by Sydney Garrick, 6 March.

Davies, D & Deans, D. (2025) “Greyhound racing to be banned in Wales”, BBC, 18 February. Available at: Greyhound racing to be banned in Wales - BBC News (Accessed: 25 April, 2025).

Donaldson, P. (2025) “Axe falls on Crayford greyhound track as imminent closure is confirmed”, Racing Post, 15 January. Available at: Axe falls on Crayford greyhound track as imminent closure is confirmed | Racing Post (Accessed: 25 April).

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‘Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom’ (2025) Wikipedia. Available at: Greyhound racing in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia (Accessed: 25 April, 2025).

Harrod, M. (2025). Interview with Michael Harrod member of Brighton Retired Greyhounds. Interviewed by Sydney Garrick, 27 February.

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