2:1 majority support among Scots for an end to greyhound racing

The majority of Scottish people support an end to greyhound racing, according to a new poll, with support 2:1 in favour of a ban.

Polling commissioned by GREY2K USA Worldwide, and carried out by The Diffley Partnership, found that over half (55%) of Scots support an end to greyhound racing, compared to one in four (26%) who support its continuation. The topline data can be viewed here and the full data tables here.

Excluding the one in five (18%) who said they ‘Don’t know’, 1,037 respondents expressed an opinion. Of these, over two in three (68%) support an end to greyhound racing, compared to one in three (32%) who think it should continue.

The polling is released as a new Bill is published in the Scottish Parliament proposing an end to greyhound racing in Scotland. The members’ Bill has been tabled by Scottish Greens MSP, Mark Ruskell.

President, General Counsel and co-founder of GREY2K USA Worldwide, Christine A. Dorchak said: “Greyhound racing is a disreputable pastime that exploits gentle dogs, exposing them to pain, injury and death, so it comes as no surprise that the majority of Scots want to see an end to this inherently cruel, gambling-led industry.

“With legislation now being considered by the Scottish Parliament, greyhounds may get their second chance in Scotland. Parliamentarians have before them the historic opportunity to make Scotland the first nation in the UK to say ‘no more’ to the confinement, injury and death, drugging and overbreeding endemic to the greyhound gambling industry.”

The Proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill is the latest move worldwide to end greyhound racing. In December last year New Zealand announced plans for a phased end to all racing, and more recently the Welsh Government has stated its intention to end dog racing, as soon as practically possible. Outside of the UK there are just three countries where commercial dog racing takes place.

Scotland has just one remaining unregulated track, Thornton in Fife. Injury and death among racing dogs is rife but the true extent of this at Thornton is unknown as there is no public disclosure as to the number of injuries and fatalities due to the unregulated nature of the track. Despite this, there is no obligation to have a vet onsite during race days, yet without a bookmaker racing will not proceed.

Research by BiGGAR Economics found the Fife track contributes next to nothing to the economy, and could be far more beneficial to the local community if the site was repurposed for housing, adding capital stock to the tune of £5.9m in capital asset value in Fife. The report can be read here.

Christine A. Dorchak added: “Dog racing at Thornton, and in Scotland, has had its day, and with public opinion firmly on the side of the greyhounds, we are urging policy makers to do the right thing and close down this dilapidated track, legislating for an end to this dying industry once and for all.”