Hannah Spencer backs calls to end greyhound racing
Green Party of England and Wales MP Hannah Spencer has thrown her support behind Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell and his bill to ban greyhound racing.
Hannah won a landmark by-election last month, beating Reform and Labour to be elected the Green MP for Gorton and Denton. She has already become one of the best known MPs in the country.
Hannah owns four greyhounds who were rescued from greyhound racing, and has called for the sport to be banned in England as well.
The bill has its final vote this Wednesday. If successful, it will ban the cruel gambling-led sport for good. Wales is also expected to vote on banning it this week.
According to the RSPCA, there are only 9 countries in the world that still allow commercial greyhound racing, including all 4 UK nations.
Data from 2023 showed that 109 greyhounds died trackside in the UK, an increase on the number for 2022. There were 4,238 injuries to greyhounds during racing in 2023.
Hannah Spencer said:
"Greyhounds are the most gentle, loving dogs you can ever meet. All they want is a warm bed, a loving family and a life where they are cared for and looked after. But the greyhound racing industry has treated them as disposable, putting profit ahead of their wellbeing and welfare.
“My heart breaks when I think about how many of these beautiful dogs have been failed by an industry that sees them as commodities rather than living, feeling animals that are much loved family members.
“I congratulate Mark Ruskell for the determination and compassion he has shown in bringing forward his bill.
“He has been tireless in standing up for greyhounds and working alongside campaigners to spotlight the cruelty and suffering this outdated industry inflicts on animals. His leadership and persistence has kept this issue firmly on the agenda and given a voice to animals who cannot speak for themselves.
“Thanks to Greens in the Scottish Parliament, Scotland now has the chance to take an important step and end greyhound racing for good. Campaigners have fought hard for years to end the suffering greyhounds face, and I hope Scotland will lead the way by passing this bill.
“I’m proud that the Scottish Greens are leading the way on this issue and I hope to see England follow Scotland’s lead, because these wonderful dogs deserve protection, care and loving homes wherever they live.
"My greyhounds and I will be celebrating when Mark’s bill passes. I will continue to champion this cause until greyhound racing is brought to an end in England.”
Mark said:
“I am delighted to have Hannah’s support. She is a principled and tireless voice for justice and for animal welfare. Her by-election win was a huge achievement, and her backing means a lot.
“Like me, Hannah is a greyhound owner and has seen the lasting damage that the gambling-led sport does to these beautiful animals. No dog should be forced to run at such speed with such danger, the numbers of dogs killed and injured across the UK is heartbreaking.
“With the vote set for Wednesday, I hope that MSPs will consider the devastating impact that greyhound racing has and ensure that we stop it for good.”