The Welsh government intends to ban greyhound racing between 2027 and 2030, according to newly released plans.

Ministers have published a draft law which would make it an offence to be an operator of a track for the sport, or be involved in organising it.

The law would make it illegal to own a greyhound racing stadium or similar venue.

Welsh government ministers agreed to ban the sport as part of a deal with the Welsh Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds to pass their spending plans earlier this year.

Wales only has one dog-racing track: the Valley stadium in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly county.

In a statement on Thursday Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said he was publishing the law to give Senedd politicians “and interested stakeholders an opportunity to see the proposed scope and direction of the bill”.

He said it would be formally introducing the bill to the Senedd in the autumn, where it would need to be passed by politicians before it becomes law, and there are likely to be changes before then.

Advocates of a ban say the sport is dangerous and causes injury to the dogs involved.

The proposals followed a government consultation, cross-party calls to ban the sport and a petition attracting 35,000 signatures.

Previously the Greyhound Board of Great Britain said the ban had “nothing to do with greyhound welfare and everything to do with pressure from the extreme animal rights movement”.

The law says the ban could not come into effect sooner than 1 April 2027, and no later than 1 April 2030.

A person would commit an offence if they are an operator of a stadium or similar venue and knowingly allow it to be used for greyhound racing.

Greyhound racing is defined by setting greyhounds to run around a track in pursuit of a lure activated by mechanical means.

Dodds said she was glad to see progress with the bill: “Ultimately, this was always about putting dogs’ safety and wellbeing before party politics.”