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PE1758: End greyhound racing In Scotland

Petition summary

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to put an end to greyhound racing in Scotland.

Petitioner: Gill Docherty on behalf of Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation

Status: Under consideration

Date published: 11 September 2019

Click here for the full petition

This Petition has been referred to the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee.

SPICe Briefing

Committee Meetings

21 November 2019: The Public Petitions Committee agreed to refer the petition to the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee under Rule 15.6.2 of Standing Orders.

Official Report of Meeting 21 November 2019

Written Submissions

Read any written submissions received by the Public Petitions Committee before May 2021 on our old site

10 December 2019: The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee agreed to take evidence on the petition at a future meeting.

Official Report of Meeting 10 December 2019

23 February 2021: The Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee agreed to keep the petition open and include it in its legacy report to its successor committee.

Official Report of Meeting 23 February 2021

Written Submissions

Read any written submissions received by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee before May 2021 on our old site

Committee meetings

20 April 2022: The Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee took evidence from the petitioners and then wrote to the Scottish Government, the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, and Thornton Greyhound track.

Official Report of meeting 20 April 2022

Following receipt of responses from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission and Thornton Greyhound track, the Committee received a letter from the Dogs Trust, the RSPCA and Blue Cross which states they “have recently conducted internal policy reviews on the welfare of racing greyhounds. As a result of these reviews, we are calling for greyhound racing to come to a phased end.”

The Convener then wrote again to the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission to ask how it intends to respond to the issue of racing greyhound welfare in light of the completion of the Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Blue Cross review.

The Committee will consider the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s response.

16 November 2022: The Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee agreed to consider the petition as part of its work programme at their next meeting.

Official report of meeting 16 November 2022