Greyhound racing is to be banned in Wales after a vote in the Senedd (17 March 2026).
39 Senedd members voted in favour of the ban, 10 voted against and 2 abstained.
Speaking in the Senedd, Welsh Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds stated: "By passing this bill, we will be saying as a nation that foreseeable and unavoidable harm to animals cannot be justified in the name of sport or in the service of gambling revenues."
The ban will come into effect between 1 April 2027 and 1 April 2030.
Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, commented: "Wales is a progressive nation, committed to ethical standards and forward-thinking legislation. This Bill strengthens our reputation as a leader on animal welfare and delivers the standards that the people of Wales rightly expect."
The ban was welcomed by the Cut the Chase coalition (comprising Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and RSPCA Cymru).
Dogs Trust chief Owen Sharp described the ban as a "landmark moment" for dog welfare.
Blue Cross UK added: "Today’s decision is a huge step forward for greyhounds. Now it’s time for England to follow Wales’ lead and bring this cruel ‘sport’ to an end."
Read more at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd899emn1yo
ACTION ALERT
Join us in urging the Irish Government to follow Wales in banning greyhound racing.
Micheál Martin TD
Leader, Fianna Fail
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Tel: 01 619 4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
X: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Simon Harris TD
Leader, Fine Gael
Telephone: 01 281 3727
Email: simon.harris@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
X: http://www.twitter.com/SimonHarrisTD
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DeputySimonHarris
Please sign and share the petitions
GAA: Stop club fundraisers at greyhound tracks
https://www.change.org/p/gaa-stop-club-fundraisers-at-greyhound-tracks
Tell Gain Pet Nutrition to Stop Sponsoring Greyhound Racing
https://www.change.org/p/jimtracy-glanbia-ie-tell-gain-pet-nutrition-to-stop-sponsoring-greyhound-racing
Watch RTE’s award-winning “Greyhounds Running For Their Lives” documentary
https://youtu.be/ZYTb2qBjlMM
REPORTED GREYHOUND INJURIES AND DEATHS AT IRISH TRACKS
2025: 344 injuries, 197 deaths
2024: 389 injuries, 202 deaths
2023: 257 injuries, 134 deaths
2022: 287 injuries. 122 deaths
2021: 351 injuries. 154 deaths
2020: 255 injuries. 90 deaths
2019: 332 injuries. 119 deaths
2018: 353 injuries. 121 deaths
2017: 357 injuries. 124 deaths
2016: 427 injuries. 139 deaths
2015: 422 injuries. 122 deaths
2014: 266 injuries. 69 deaths (July to Dec 2014)