Another U.S. state outlaws greyhound racing, West Virginia the only holdout

Staff ReporterMay 12, 20244 min

Greyhound racing, once widespread in the USA, is now on its last legs. On Thursday, Connecticut became the country’s 43rd state to outlaw the racing of greyhounds, a press release from GREY2K USA, the largest greyhound protection group in the world, said. GREY2K USA thanked Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont for signing the bill outlawing greyhound racing, calling the law a victory for everyone who cares about dogs.

Greyhound racing now continues only at two tracks in West Virginia. After dog racing gradually declined for decades, Florida voters outlawed the activity in 2018 by a vote of 69% to 31%, closing 12 operational racetracks.

“The end of dog racing in Connecticut has finally come because of the hard work of dedicated lawmakers on both sides of the aisle,” said GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine A. Dorchak. “Greyhound advocates everywhere applaud Governor Lamont’s enthusiastic stand against this cruel industry. Connecticut now joins 42 other states that have already rejected this outdated and inhumane form of gambling.”

Set up in February 2001, GREY2K USA is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization with more than 300,000 supporters which works to pass stronger greyhound protection laws and end the cruelty of dog racing in the USA and internationally. GREY2K USA also promotes the rescue and adoption of greyhounds across the globe.

A bill to prohibit gambling on greyhound racing nationwide was introduced in the 117th Congress and earned the support of 105 co-sponsors and more than 250 humane groups, anti-gambling organizations, and local animal shelters.

All mainstream animal protection groups oppose greyhound racing due to animal welfare concerns. At the last two remaining dog tracks in West Virginia, state records indicate that 666 greyhounds were injured in 2022, including 218 dogs that suffered broken bones and five that died. Thousands of dogs also endure lives of confinement at West Virginia tracks, kept in cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around in for long hours each day.

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Source: PR Newswire

Staff Reporter

2 comments

  • Brandy

    May 14, 2024 at 8:25 am

    This entire last paragraph reads like it was written by someone who exclusively read GREY2K’s ignorant propaganda and did zero additional investigation. Why not talk to the families who breed these incredible athletes, or the trainers who work with them while they’re at the track? Or the adoption groups nationwide that find the dogs homes when they retire? GREY2K is all about fear-mongering and does nothing to actually ‘help’ greyhounds. Talk to the people who are actually involved if you want the truth.

    Reply

    • The Snout Team

      May 14, 2024 at 12:28 pm

      Hi Brandy, we are open to speaking with advocates of greyhound racing, too. But fair warning: our sympathies lie more with the animals than with their owners. If you are still willing to speak to us, write to us at connect@thesnout.in

      Reply

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