Wales lead the way in improving pet welfare – again

A black ex racing greyhound called Bluebell standing in a field with a blonde lady wearing sunglasses

Following the announcement from the Senedd yesterday (Tuesday 18 February) confirming an end to greyhound racing by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, Blue Cross pet charity is calling on Westminster and Holyrood to follow suit across England and Scotland to stop this cruel and outdated activity.

Blue Cross is reaching out to the Valleys Stadium in Caerphilly, the only remaining greyhound racing track in Wales, to offer support with rehoming any local racing greyhounds in due course.

Blue Cross, as part of the ’Cut the Chase’ coalition (also comprising of Hope Rescue, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Recue Wales and RSPCA) has been lobbying MSs for a number of years to bring an end to greyhound racing in Wales and Blue Cross welcomes this announcement.

Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross said: “We are delighted that there will be an end to the suffering, injuries and deaths of greyhounds when greyhound racing comes to an end in Wales. We are urgently calling on MPs to follow Wales lead and take steps to improve the lives of pets across the whole of the UK.”

Professor David Olusoga, MP Mike Tapp, MP Helena Dollimore and Blue Cross CEO Chris Burghes all standing outside 10 Downing St ready to hand in the Greyhound petition
Professor David Olusoga, MP Mike Tapp, MP Helena Dollimore and Blue Cross CEO Chris Burghes standing outside 10 Downing Street

Yet again, Wales are leading the way in bringing forward changes to legislation to promote animal welfare.

Alongside the announcement that greyhound racing will be come to an end in Wales, the Senedd has also already brought in laws to:

  • Ban the use of electric shock collars in 2010
  • Update regulations to improve breeding practices in 2014
  • Ban the use of snares (which cause serious injuries to pet cats and other animals) in 2023

A Blue Cross petition of 111,155 signatures shows there is huge public support for a phased end to greyhound racing. The petition was handed in to 10 Downing Street on 17 October 2024, citing the vast number of injuries and deaths as reported by the industry itself.

Since 2018 over 2,700 racing greyhounds have died and in 2023 alone 359 died or were put to sleep and there were 4,238 recorded injuries – according to figures released annually by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).

Becky continued: “We believe that the injuries and deaths of greyhounds forced to race day in day out is not an activity anyone wants to see in the 21st century. The death of one dog is one too many, let alone the suffering endured by greyhounds 24/7 who we believe deserve the same love and care as any other family pet.”

Blue Cross asks animal lovers to support an end to greyhound racing by writing to their MP to support the campaign. A letter template is available to download at bluecross.org.uk/campaign/EndGreyhoundRacing, there is also a link to find details of MPs and their constituencies.

With the increasing demand for Blue Cross pet welfare services, the charity needs the support of animal lovers to continue its work helping pets and their people, in any way they can. Whether that’s by donating to keep rehoming and veterinary services going through these tough times, fundraising for Blue Cross, providing foster care for pets while loving new homes are found, volunteering at pet food banks, or signing up to support Blue Cross campaigns for better pet welfare. www.bluecross.org.uk