Calls to Ban Greyhound Racing in Scotland After Tests Reveal Dogs Doped with Cocaine

The animal welfare campaign group Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE) has called for a complete ban on Greyhound racing after it was revealed dogs had been drugged with illegal substances including cocaine. The campaigners appealed to the Rural Affairs, Islands, and Natural Environment Committees citing the lack of regulation of the sport, along with a lack of welfare for the animals.

Lack of Drug Testing

The Shawfield Stadium near Glasgow is the only regulated racetrack in Scotland, but activists revealed only 2% of races are drug tested. However, these tests were conducted before races between 2018 and 2019 and revealed startling results. 13 racing dogs came back positive for doping and 5 tested positive for cocaine.

SAGE accused the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) of not regulating the sport robustly with doping test results often taking months to reveal the outcome, hindering the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty and the police from regulating greyhound racing.

SAGE spokesperson Gill Docherty said, “The lack of regulation means there is no vet present at any of the races and that would mean there’s no administration of first aid or pain relief to dogs that are injured.

“There is no vet present to euthanise a dog should it suffer a catastrophic injury such as a broken spine or neck.”

In the UK it has been revealed more than 3,000 dogs died between 2017 and 2020, however not all deaths can be attributed to racing, some are due to age, long-term illness, or natural causes. Figures estimate 18,345 dogs were injured during the same time frame, however with the lack of regulation at the Thornton Stadium another Greyhound race track in Scotland they estimate many more deaths and injuries.

“Beyond Reform”

Scottish MSP Mark Ruskell showed support for the ban on greyhound racing citing greyhound racing in Scotland was “beyond reform”. He reminded greyhound owners of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 whereby people had a duty to protect their pets, and this includes greyhound breeders.

Chief executive of the GBGB Mark Bird said all greyhounds in the UK are much more protected than domestic dogs, the dogs are vet checked before and after each race to ensure they are fit and healthy. Regular kennel inspections are carried out and he also pointed out the outcome of a positive doping test results in a lifetime ban.