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Greyhound Racing


Photo Credit: Grey2K USA		 The greyhound racing industry over breeds dogs in an attempt to produce champions. Only about 30% of the newborns will ever become racers; 20,000-28,000 surplus greyhounds are destroyed each year. 

IT’S A DOG’S LIFE
 Racing greyhounds are kept in cages, crates, or pens for approximately 22 hours each day. Most containers are as small as 3 x 3 feet and are not climate-controlled; the dogs suffer extreme weather conditions. They are let out of their cages only to relieve themselves, train, and race. Some greyhounds are kept muzzled constantly. 

Racing greyhounds are typically fed raw, rancid meat, and denied basic veterinary care. They are often forced to race when they are injured or ill. Because the industry is not governed by the Animal Welfare Act, the Act’s standards for the treatment and care of animals do not apply. Although greyhounds naturally live to be about 13 years old, the average lifespan of a racing greyhound is 3-4 years. 

Ailments Common to Racers 

  • Broken legs 

  • Internal and external parasites 

  • Heat stroke 

  • Heart attack 

  • Accidental electrocution 

  • Starvation 

  • Dehydration 


Photo Credit: Grey2K USA

BAIT ANIMALS
Approximately 100,000 rabbits and other small animals are used as live bait to teach dogs to chase lures around the track. The rabbits are hung from horizontal poles and the dogs are encouraged to chase and kill them. Less aggressive dogs are sometimes placed in a cage with a small animal and not released or fed until they have killed it. In some states, training with live animals is illegal. However, industry insiders circumvent this legislation by sending the dogs to another state for training, as federal law allows greyhound racers to be shipped from state to state.


”RETIRED GREYHOUNDS”
When greyhounds become too sick or injured to race well, they are either:

  • Killed immediately 

  • Abandoned 

  • Bred to produce more champions 

  • Sold to research facilities OR 

  • Sent to foreign racetracks, sometimes in underdeveloped countries 

WAYS IN WHICH RETIRED GREYHOUNDS ARE KILLED

  • Gunshots 

  • Euthanasia 

  • Electrocution 

  • Gassing 

  • Abandonment 

  • Starvation 

  • Bludgeoning 

15 REMAINING STATES AND TRACK NUMBERS WHERE DOG RACING IS STILL LEGAL
Alabama 3
Arkansas 1
Arizona 3
Colorado 3
Connecticut 2
Florida 16
Iowa 2
Kansas 2
Massachusetts 2
New Hampshire 3
Oregon 1
Rhode Island 1
Texas 3
West Virginia 2
Wisconsin 2 

HOW YOU CAN HELP 

  • If you live in a state where greyhound racing is legal, ask your representatives to ban it. Their contact information can be found by visiting:
    www.vote-smart.org/index.phtml 

  • Volunteer with a greyhound rescue group

  • Adopt a retired greyhound; greyhounds make wonderful companion animals. Call (800) 4-HOUNDS for more information. 

  • Distribute anti-racing brochures at a racetrack in your area 

  • Support legislation that bans greyhound racing 

  • Write letters to the editor of local newspapers objecting to greyhound racing 

  • Educate friends and family about the suffering involved in the greyhound racing industry 

  • Spay and neuter your pet; because of the overabundance of companion animals, there are not enough homes for retired greyhounds 



 


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