A local politician in Wales has led calls for the Welsh government to review Greyhound racing, reports Wales 247.
The Welsh government currently doesn’t regulate Greyhound racing. In contrast, in neighboring England, tracks are subject to the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010. Not only that, but the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) keeps track of them too.
Banning Greyhound Racing Completely?
Consequently, Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection at Caerphilly County Borough Cllr Philippa Leonard has penned a letter to the Welsh government urging them to review dog racing.
“I share the concerns voiced by animal welfare charities for racing Greyhounds throughout their lives, including when their racing career ends,” Cllr Leonard says in the letter. “The available data on injuries and fatalities to Greyhounds is quite shocking and I do not believe that animals should be exploited and harmed in this way and simply for entertainment.
“In calling for a Welsh Government review of the legislative position in Wales I would ask that consideration is given to banning Greyhound racing completely and it is my personal view that this, rather than the introduction of a regulatory framework, is the only way to ensure animal welfare throughout their lifetimes. With only one track in Wales, it should be possible to phase out this activity over a relatively short timescale.
One Track Remaining
There is currently just one dog racing track in Wales: the Valley Greyhound Stadium. It’s located in the town of Ystrad Mynach, part of the Caerphilly County Borough.
A number of English-speaking countries around the world practice Greyhound racing, with it being particularly popular in Ireland. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand are among the other countries with dog racing. In the United States, state or local law governs dog racing, rather than federal law.
Other countries with Greyhound tracks include Mexico and Vietnam. Both countries have one track apiece.
