SCOTLAND has become the second country in Britain to ban greyhound racing in just over 24 hours, as Holyrood follows the lead of the Welsh Senedd.

The Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Bill, tabled by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, cleared its final parliamentary hurdle by 70 votes to 27, with 19 abstentions.

The result means that it will become a criminal offence to operate a greyhound track or to race a dog on one, and comes after decades of campaigning from animal rights campaigners.

A spokesperson for Say No To Greyhound Racing in Scotland hailed it as an “historic step forward for animal welfare,” while League Against Cruel Sports’ Emma Slawinski, urged the UK government “to catch up and follow their lead.”

Thanking Mr Ruskell, the Dogs Trust’s Owen Sharp, added: “This legislation sends an unmistakable message: the welfare of dogs must always come first.”

Mr Ruskell said: “I’m delighted that we’ve got my member’s Bill over the line and that we will finally end this cruel gambling-led sport in Scotland.

“I am grateful to everyone who has helped us to get to this stage.”