Northern Ireland has two active greyhound tracks at Brandywell Stadium in Londonderry and Drumbo Park in Lisburn. A group advocating for greyhound racing in the province expressed confidence that the sport will not face a ban locally.

Scotland passed the Greyhound Racing Bill on Wednesday night. Wales approved a vote for a ban on Tuesday, though it now faces a legal challenge over insufficient consultation. No tracks operate in Scotland, and Wales has one remaining facility at Valley Greyhounds in Ystrad Mynach.

Lynda Bonner, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Constituents NI, said the group has worked with Stormont decision-makers over the past year on the issue. She stated that dogs in Northern Ireland receive strong regulation with welfare as the top priority.

Bonner noted that tracks provide the safest conditions for greyhounds to run at speeds around 40mph, with pristine surfaces and mechanical lures. She added that strict criteria apply for dogs to race there and highlighted cross-community involvement in the sport.

The group plans to collaborate with the Department on Lucy’s Law, which bans third-party sales of puppies and kittens under six months and includes greyhounds. Bonner invited inspections of the tracks and praised efforts by the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust to rehome retired dogs.