Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Act 2026
An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision prohibiting the racing of greyhounds on racetracks.
Offences relating to the racing of greyhounds
1Offence of racing a greyhound on a racetrack
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person—
(a)
owns or is responsible for a greyhound, and
(b)
knowingly causes that greyhound to run on a racetrack or knowingly permits another person to cause that greyhound to run on a racetrack.
(2)
A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—
(a)
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £20,000 (or both),
(b)
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine (or both).
(3)
In this section, a person “is responsible for” a greyhound where the person—
(a)
is responsible for the greyhound on a temporary or permanent basis,
(b)
is in charge of the greyhound, or
(c)
has actual care and control of a person under the age of 16 years who is responsible for the greyhound under paragraph (a) or (b).
(4)
In this section and in section 2, “racetrack” means premises in Scotland provided for the purpose of running greyhounds on a track that is oval in shape.
(5)
The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify the definition of “racetrack” in subsection (4) to include other categories of premises in Scotland used for the purpose of the competing of running greyhounds.
(6)
The power in subsection (5) may only be exercised for the purpose of preventing harm to greyhounds.
(7)
Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to the affirmative procedure.
2Offence of operating a track for the racing of greyhounds
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person—
(a)
owns or is responsible for the operation of a racetrack, and
(b)
knowingly causes or permits another person to cause a greyhound to run on that racetrack.
(2)
A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—
(a)
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £20,000 (or both),
(b)
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or a fine (or both).
(3)
In this section, a person is responsible for the operation of a racetrack if the person—
(a)
manages or controls that racetrack, or
(b)
is authorised to give permission for another person to cause a greyhound to run on that racetrack.
Further provision relating to offences
3Powers of enforcement
Schedule 1 makes provision about the powers of constables for the purposes of and in connection with this Act.
4Disposals following conviction, etc.
Schedule 2 modifies the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 in relation to the making of deprivation, disqualification and seizure orders in connection with an offence under section 1(1) or 2(1).
Final provisions
5Individual culpability where organisation commits an offence
(1)
This section applies where—
(a)
an offence under this Act is committed by a relevant organisation, and
(b)
the commission of the offence—
(i)
involves consent or connivance on the part of a responsible individual, or
(ii)
is attributable to neglect on the part of a responsible individual.
(2)
The responsible individual (as well as the relevant organisation) commits the offence.
(3)
For the purposes of this section—
“relevant organisation” means an organisation listed in the first column of the table in subsection (4),
“responsible individual” means, in relation to a relevant organisation—
(a)
an individual falling within the corresponding entry in the second column of the table in subsection (4),
(b)
an individual purporting to act in the capacity of an individual falling within the corresponding entry.
(4)
The table is as follows—
Organisation | Individual |
|---|---|
Company as mentioned in section 1 of the Companies Act 2006 | Director, manager, secretary or other similar officer, or, where the company’s affairs are managed by its members, member |
Limited liability partnership | Member |
Other partnership | Partner |
Any other body or association | Individual who is concerned in the management or control of its affairs |
6Ancillary provision
(1)
The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make any incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision they consider appropriate for the purposes of, in connection with or for giving full effect to this Act.
(2)
Regulations under this section may—
(a)
make different provision for different purposes,
(b)
modify any enactment (including this Act).
(3)
Regulations under this section—
(a)
are subject to the affirmative procedure if they add to, replace, or omit any part of the text of this or any other Act,
(b)
otherwise, are subject to the negative procedure.
7Interpretation
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—
“constable” has the meaning given by section 99 (1) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012,
“premises” has the meaning given by paragraph 1 of schedule 1,
8Commencement
(1)
This section and sections 6 and 9 come into force on the day after Royal Assent.
(2)
The other provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Scottish Ministers may by regulations appoint.
(3)
Regulations under this section may—
(a)
make different provision for different purposes,
(b)
include transitional, transitory or saving provision.
9Short title
The short title of this Act is the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Act 2026.
Schedule 1Enforcement powers
Interpretation
1
In this schedule—
“domestic premises”—
(a)
means premises, or a part of premises, used (or used for the time being) exclusively as a dwelling-house, and
(b)
includes any land or structure—
- (i)
belonging to or usually enjoyed with the dwelling-house, or
- (ii)
adjacent to and for the time being enjoyed with the dwelling-house,
“premises” includes—
(a)
land,
(b)
any other place, including—
- (i)
a vehicle or vessel,
- (ii)
a tent or other moveable structure,
“relevant power” means a power conferred on a constable by—
(a)
a provision of this schedule, or
(b)
a warrant granted under a provision of this schedule.
Entry and associated powers
2
A constable may enter any premises (other than domestic premises)—
(a)
if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a relevant offence has been or is being committed at the premises, and
(b)
for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not a relevant offence has been or is being committed at the premises.
3
(1)
A sheriff or justice of the peace may grant a warrant under this sub-paragraph if satisfied—
(a)
that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting—
(i)
that a relevant offence has been or is being committed at any premises, or
(ii)
that evidence of the commission of, or participation in, a relevant offence is to be found at any premises, and
(b)
that sub-paragraph (2) or (3) applies.
(2)
This sub-paragraph applies if—
(a)
admission to the premises has been refused or such a refusal may reasonably be expected, and
(b)
either—
(i)
notice of the intention to seek a warrant has been given to the occupier of the premises, or
(ii)
the giving of such notice would frustrate the purpose for which the warrant is sought.
(3)
This sub-paragraph applies if—
(a)
the premises are unoccupied, or
(b)
the occupier is temporarily absent.
4
A warrant under paragraph 3(1) authorises a constable—
(a)
to enter the premises,
(b)
to search for, examine and seize any greyhound, equipment, document or other thing tending to provide evidence of the commission of, or participation in, a relevant offence.
5
(1)
A constable may exercise the powers in sub-paragraph (2) without a warrant under paragraph 3(1) if—
(a)
it appears to the constable that any delay would frustrate the purpose for which the powers are to be exercised, and
(b)
the premises are not domestic premises.
(2)
The powers are—
(a)
to enter premises,
(b)
to search for, examine and seize any greyhound, equipment, document or other thing tending to provide evidence of the commission of, or participation in, a relevant offence.
6
The power to seize a greyhound under paragraph 4(b) or 5(2)(b) may only be exercised—
(a)
where the greyhound is in the possession or control of a person who the constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting has committed or is committing a relevant offence, and
(b)
where the constable considers it appropriate to seize the greyhound for the purposes of—
(i)
enabling the greyhound to be used in proceedings for a relevant offence, or
(ii)
enabling the greyhound to be forfeited in accordance with Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995.
7
(1)
A thing seized in exercise of the power in paragraph 4(b) or 5(2)(b) must be returned when retention of it is no longer justified for the purposes of—
(a)
enabling it to be used in proceedings for a relevant offence, or
(b)
enabling it to be forfeited in accordance with Part 2 of the Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995.
(2)
Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to perishable things which no longer have any commercial value.
Stopping and detaining vehicles or vessels
8
(1)
A constable in uniform may stop and detain a vehicle or vessel for the purpose of the exercise of a relevant power.
(2)
A vehicle or vessel may be detained under sub-paragraph (1) for so long as it is reasonably required for the purpose of the exercise of the power concerned.
(3)
The power concerned may be exercised either at the place where the vehicle or vessel was first detained or nearby.
(4)
In this paragraph, “vehicle” includes caravan (within the meaning of section 29(1) of the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960).
Entry and associated powers: supplementary
9
A warrant granted under a provision of this schedule remains in force for one month beginning with the date on which it was granted.
10
A constable may, if necessary, use reasonable force when exercising a relevant power.
11
A constable exercising a relevant power must produce evidence of the constable’s authority if asked to do so.
12
A relevant power includes power to take onto premises—
(a)
such persons for assistance as are required for the purpose of exercising the power, and
(b)
such equipment as is required for that purpose.
13
(1)
A person mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) must—
(a)
comply with any reasonable direction made by a constable exercising a relevant power, and
(b)
in particular, give the constable such information and assistance as the constable may reasonably require.
(2)
The persons are—
(a)
the occupier of premises in relation to which a relevant power is being exercised,
(b)
a person who, in relation to a greyhound at the premises, appears—
(i)
to be the owner of the greyhound,
(ii)
to be responsible for the greyhound on a temporary or permanent basis,
(iii)
to be in charge of the greyhound,
(iv)
to have actual care and control of a person under the age of 16 years who is responsible for the greyhound,
(c)
a person who appears to be under the direction or control of a person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).
14
A constable exercising a relevant power in relation to unoccupied premises must leave the premises as effectively secured against entry as the constable found them.
Offences
15
(1)
A person commits an offence if the person contravenes paragraph 13(1) without reasonable excuse.
(2)
A person commits an offence if the person intentionally obstructs a constable in the exercise of a relevant power.
(3)
A person who commits an offence under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
Powers of constables under this schedule
16
The powers conferred on constables by this schedule do not affect any powers conferred on constables apart from this schedule.
Schedule 2Modification of Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
1
(1)
The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 is modified as follows.
(2)
“(e)
an offence under section 1(1) or 2(1) of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Act 2026.”.
(3)
In section 40 (disqualification orders)—
(a)
“(7A)
Despite subsection (7), a disqualification order made in relation to an offence under section 1(1) or 2(1) of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Act 2026 may only impose disqualifications in respect of greyhounds.”,
(b)
“(e)
an offence under section 1(1) or 2(1) of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Act 2026.”.
(4)
“(aa)
also on summary application, by a constable or prosecutor where the disqualification order was made in relation to an offence under section 1(1) or 2(1) of the Greyhound Racing (Offences) (Scotland) Act 2026,”.