Greyhound racing will be banned “as soon as practically possible”, the Welsh government has said in what would be a first for the UK.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced plans to wind down the sport, which has been criticized for harming dogs. No timeline has been announced for the ban, but Irranca-Davies said it is not “impossible” it could come in before the next Welsh Parliament election in May 2026. It follows cross-party calls for a ban, a government consultation and a petition that attracted 35,000 signatures.
Wales only has one dog-racing track: the Valley Stadium in Ystrad Mynach.
The news was welcomed by a coalition of animal welfare charities including the Dogs Trust, which said England, Scotland and Northern Ireland should follow suit.
