Greyhound Racing Exposed: Why Congress Must Ban Betting on This Cruel Sport
A Cruel Industry Kept Alive by Gambling
Greyhound racing is one of the most dangerous, exploitative industries still operating in the shadows of U.S. entertainment. Dogs are forced to sprint at breakneck speeds, risking broken legs, crushed skulls, and fatal collisions, all while being confined for up to 23 hours a day in small, stacked cages with little or no socialization.
And yet, this cruelty persists for one reason: money. While most U.S. tracks have shuttered, Americans are still legally allowed to place bets on races both here and abroad. This steady stream of gambling revenue props up the industry, sustaining cruelty in countries like Mexico and Australia where oversight is even weaker.
Now, lawmakers are finally taking action. The newly introduced Greyhound Protection Act (H.R. 5017) would ban betting on all greyhound races—domestic and international. Advocates say this could deliver the final blow to an outdated, abusive practice that has no place in modern society.
The Hidden Toll on Dogs
Behind the flashing lights of betting screens and the thrill of the race is a grim reality. Thousands of greyhounds endure lives of suffering, marked by neglect, injury, and even death. Once their racing careers are over, many dogs are discarded or killed because they’re no longer profitable.
Veterinarians and investigators have documented the shocking toll: spinal injuries, crushed skulls, untreated wounds, and malnourishment. With so many dogs confined for nearly an entire day in barren cages, behavioral and psychological scars run deep. This is not sport—it’s systemic cruelty disguised as entertainment.
A Crucial Step Forward
The Greyhound Protection Act aims to cut off the industry at its source—betting revenue. By banning wagers nationwide, the bill would remove the financial incentive keeping tracks and breeders in business. Supporters stress that without gambling, greyhound racing cannot survive.
Animal advocates have been sounding the alarm for years. Public pressure has already led to steep declines in U.S. racing, but loopholes continue to allow American dollars to fuel races overseas. Closing this loophole is the only way to ensure the suffering ends once and for all.
Why This Matters Now
This is not just about dogs on racetracks—it’s about our values as a society. Allowing animals to be injured, discarded, and killed for profit is a stain on our moral fabric. With overwhelming public opposition to greyhound racing, the momentum for change has never been stronger.
Passing the Greyhound Protection Act would align the U.S. with growing global recognition that animals are not disposable objects for gambling. It would send a powerful message: that compassion, not cruelty, should guide our laws.
For every dog languishing in a cage, for every greyhound forced to race until their body breaks, this legislation could be the difference between suffering and safety.
To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:
- Caught on CCTV: Dog Killed in Apartment Lift in Bengaluru — Outrage Grows for Goofy
- Beagles Trapped for Research: Wisconsin Facility Closing, But Fate of 2,500 Dogs Still at Stake
- Two Women Arrested for Setting Dog on Fire — Public Demands Justice and Lifetime Animal Ownership Bans
- Chihuahua Found with Eyes and Private Parts Glued Shut in Horrific Los Angeles Abuse Case
- Justice for Chop: Outrage After Border Patrol Shot and Killed Family Dog in El Paso for No Reason
