‘End Dog Racing in Scotland’ message projected onto Shawfield Stadium by animal welfare coalition

A message of ‘End Dog Racing in Scotland’ was projected onto Shawfield Stadium this week as animal welfare organisations intention to ship a transparent message to the Scottish Government.

On Monday evening, a bunch of 9 animal welfare organisations projected photos and movies onto iconic Scottish landmarks, together with Shawfield Stadium, to ship Holyrood a message.

As nicely as projecting the assertion on the previous home of Clyde FC, the Unbound the Greyhound coalition projected an animated video contrasting the fictional lives of a rescued greyhound and a greyhound nonetheless within the trade onto the ‘People Make Glasgow’ building beside the town centre’s George Square.

They additionally projected textual content studying ‘End Dog Racing in Scotland’ onto Glasgow Green’s Mclennan Arch, the Barras Market, beneath Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh’s Lothian Road.

A spokesperson for Unbound the Greyhound coalition stated: “‘It is clear that the greyhound racing industry is on its last legs in Scotland: the majority of Scots (six in 10) don’t help greyhound racing; the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has known as an finish to greyhound racing in Scotland ‘desirable’; and our open letter to the Scottish Government calling for a phase-out of greyhound racing has secured greater than 15,000 signatures in just some months.

“The Scottish Government is contemplating the licensing of greyhound racing.

“Licensing is not going to shield dogs from the inherent welfare dangers of greyhound racing and has clearly failed within the case of licensed GBGB tracks.

“This is why we’ve despatched the Government a transparent message: put an finish to canine racing in Scotland.

“Glasgow’s Shawfield Stadium is now not an working GBGB observe, however there’s a threat that the stadium could possibly be revived.

“This is why it’s crucial that the Scottish Government commits to a phase-out of greyhound racing to make sure that the trade isn’t re-established additional down the road.”

Rutherglen’s MSP Clare Haughey not too long ago has known as on the Scottish Government to introduce a phase-out ban on greyhound racing as she hopes “there is no return to racing” at Shawfield Stadium.

Shawfield – opened in 1898, with the canine observe later added in 1932 – has did not reopen following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lanarkshire Live reported earlier this 12 months {that a} report printed by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission suggested a ban on new tracks, nevertheless, it left the door open for a return of the dogs on the former home of Clyde FC.

Despite the loophole, it’s thought that its homeowners are contemplating demolishing the stadium after they requested a screening opinion on the regeneration of the bottom for housing to South Lanarkshire Council.

Ms Haughey stated in parliament: “The cupboard secretary shall be conscious that Shawfield Stadium in my constituency is the one licensed greyhound racing observe in Scotland, and no racing has taken place there because the begin of the Covid pandemic.

“Given my concern concerning the welfare of greyhounds which have been raced at Shawfield beforehand, I hope that there isn’t a return to racing.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson stated: “We take animal welfare very significantly and are dedicated to making sure the best requirements in Scotland.

“We perceive that there’s sturdy depth of feeling linked to greyhound racing. That is why our session on extending the licensing of actions involving animals consists of tighter regulation of the trade.

“All responses to our consultation will be carefully considered and analysed in due course.”

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