The Scottish Parliament have voted in favour to ban Greyhound racing in Scotland after MSPs.
The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, external makes it an offence to allow a greyhound to compete on an oval racetrack in Scotland, with a maximum prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to £20,000.
After the government dropped its opposition, 70 MSPs voted for the bill and 27 voted against. There were 19 abstensions.
In a brief debate ahead of the vote, Green MSP Mark Russell told MSPs: “Racing greyhounds at up to speeds of 40pmh around an oval track results in catastrophic injuries and deaths.
“Dogs break their legs, break their backs, end up paralysed and with serious head trauma.”
The MSP insisted greyhound racing was not a “harmless hobby enterprise”, and added that Scotland “cannot be left behind” as other countries have banned the sport.
