On August 28, 2025, the Welsh government took a decisive step toward ending greyhound racing within its borders, publishing a draft version of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill. This legislation, if passed, would make it an offence to organise greyhound racing or to operate a track or stadium hosting races anywhere in Wales. The move marks a significant turning point for a sport that, while once widespread, now exists in Wales at just a single venue—the Valley Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly county.
The draft bill’s publication is not the final word, but rather an invitation for Senedd Members and stakeholders to scrutinize and provide feedback ahead of its formal introduction in the autumn. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who unveiled the draft, emphasized this consultative approach, stating, “I look forward to working with Senedd Members on the provisions of the Bill during scrutiny, after the Bill is introduced in the autumn.” According to BBC, the law specifies that the ban could not come into effect sooner than April 1, 2027, and must be enacted by April 1, 2030, providing a three-year window for the industry to wind down and for the welfare of greyhounds to be safeguarded during the transition.
This legislative push follows a period of mounting public and political pressure. Earlier in 2025, a petition opposing greyhound racing gathered more than 35,000 signatures, reflecting broad-based concern for animal welfare. The Senedd saw cross-party support for a ban, a rare show of unity in Welsh politics. The momentum for change was further cemented when the Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Jane Dodds—herself a greyhound owner—agreed to support the government’s spending plans in exchange for a firm commitment to outlaw the sport. Dodds told BBC, “Ultimately, this was always about putting dogs’ safety and wellbeing before party politics.”
To oversee the transition, the Welsh government established an implementation group in July 2025, chaired by Dr. Emily Blackwell, a senior lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Bristol Vet School. The group brings together individuals from animal health and welfare organizations, the social and community sectors, and the greyhound racing industry itself. According to Caerphilly Observer, Mr. Irranca-Davies highlighted the importance of this collaborative approach: “We want Wales to be an exemplar for the highest standards of animal health and welfare. The ban is one way we can work towards meeting that goal, and the implementation group has a key role to play. Its combined knowledge will help us as we progress with this important work.”
The proposed ban is not without controversy. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), which represents the interests of the sport, has been vocal in its opposition. In a statement cited by Nation.Cymru, the GBGB argued that alternatives to an outright ban could allow the sport to continue in a fully regulated environment, “thus protecting the welfare of dogs, the jobs and livelihoods of those involved in the sport and the revenue contribution the sport makes to the economy.” They further claimed, as reported by BBC, that the ban had “nothing to do with greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement.”
Economic and community concerns have also been raised by political figures. Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) James Evans described the publication of the draft bill as “a sad day for those who own and care for their dogs responsibly, and for the people whose jobs and communities are tied to this long-standing industry.” Evans criticized the Welsh government, stating, “The politicians who have pushed this ban forward have never even visited the Valley Greyhound Stadium, nor have they spoken directly with the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it. The stories being put forward to justify this legislation have, in many cases, been economical with the truth, and that is deeply troubling.” He further accused the government of being out of touch with the communities most affected, arguing that “instead of working to strengthen regulation and ensure the highest welfare standards, they have chosen an outright ban that punishes ordinary people and disregards their voices.”
Supporters of the ban, on the other hand, maintain that it is a necessary step to protect the welfare of greyhounds. Advocates argue that the sport is inherently dangerous and leads to injuries for the dogs involved. According to BBC, the government’s proposals were shaped by a consultation process, input from animal welfare groups, and the significant public response to the petition. The three-year window for implementation is intended to allow time for the industry to wind down in a manner that protects the dogs themselves, avoiding a sudden disruption that could leave animals at risk.
The Valley Greyhound Stadium, the last of its kind in Wales, has become a focal point for both sides of the debate. For supporters of the sport, it represents a cherished tradition and a source of community identity. For critics, it is a symbol of outdated practices that have no place in a modern society committed to animal welfare. As Nation.Cymru reports, there are now just four countries worldwide where greyhound racing remains legal, underscoring the global shift away from the sport.
The path ahead is not without uncertainty. The draft legislation may undergo changes before its formal introduction to the Senedd, and the coming months will see intense debate as stakeholders from all sides make their voices heard. The implementation group, led by Dr. Blackwell, will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the transition is managed effectively, balancing the needs of communities, industry workers, and—most importantly—the greyhounds themselves.
For now, the publication of the draft bill marks a milestone in Wales’s journey toward becoming, in the words of Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, “an exemplar for the highest standards of animal health and welfare.” Whether the final legislation will achieve that goal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the future of greyhound racing in Wales now hangs in the balance, with the eyes of the nation—and indeed the world—watching closely.
