After racing dogs were found with doping, including several cases of dogs being drugged with cocaine, Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE) campaigners called for the complete ban on greyhound races in Scotland.
The activists from SAGE issued their request for the ban on greyhound racing to the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee. The campaigners claim the reason behind the call for the complete ban of such events is the lack of proper regulation and no protection of the animals that suffer from injuries and doping.
Greyhound Doping Tests Reveal Worrying Results, Dogs Drugged with Cocaine
According to SAGE activists, there are not enough doping tests being run on greyhound races, with less than 2% of races held at the Shawfield Stadium track conducting drug tests. Unfortunately, the tests run before races that took place between 2018 and 2019 revealed concerning results. The tests showed that 13 dogs were positive for doping and what was even more worrying was that five of these dogs were found to be drugged with Class A cocaine.
Campaigners believe greyhound races are not regulated properly as the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) often took months to reveal results from doping tests, preventing both the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and the police from regulating the sector.
Statistics published by the GBGB revealed that for the period between 2017 and 2020, there were over 3,000 deaths and about 18,345 dogs that suffered injuries from participating in greyhound races held in the UK. However, since the other racetrack in Scotland, located at Thornton Stadium, was not regulated the actual number of deaths caused by races was higher. What makes things even crueller is that since there was no on-track vet, dogs that were seriously injured could not be euthanized immediately.
Campaign for Permanent Ban on Greyhound Races in Scotland Receives Strong Support
The campaign to end greyhound races in Scotland was supported by more than 130,000 people who signed the petition to ban such events. Scottish Greens MSP, Mark Ruskell, also showed support for the petition and commented on the greyhound racing sector, stating that the industry has reached a point “beyond reform”.
Ruskell also highlighted that even though dog owners are required to abide by The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and protect their pets, the law was failing in ensuring that this requirement also applies to greyhound owners.
According to Mark Bird, chief executive of GBGB, greyhounds in the UK require a lot more to be protected than domestic dogs raised as pets. He also noted that the welfare of the animals is of extreme importance when it comes to licensed greyhound races.
Mr Bird ensured that each greyhound goes through a thorough check by a vet before and after every race. In addition to that, the kennels of trainers are regularly inspected to make sure they are meeting imposed welfare requirements. Mr Bird also ensured that any positive doping test may result in a lifetime ban for those who are not abiding by the strict anti-doping rules.
Before the petition is moved forward, the members of the committee will further inspect how relevant bodies, including the Animal Welfare Commission, are regulating the greyhound racing sector.
- Author
Daniel Williams
