January 18, 2020
West Virginia is the only state that still subsidizes greyhound racing, according to WV Senate President Mitch Carmichael. Every year, the WV Greyhound Breeding Development Fund is given $15 million of gambling revenues to support the breeding of greyhound dogs who will be forced into a life of running in circles so humans can bet on them.
Four West Virginia senators believe that those $15 million could be better used elsewhere, like road maintenance, education, our waterways, or healthcare. Last week, Senators Carmichael, Cline, Roberts, and Plymale introduced Senate Bill 285 which would allow the state legislature to allocate those millions of dollars to more worthy causes. The bill also outlines that a certain amount of that money be withheld to fund greyhound adoption and spay/neuter programs, as well as a workforce retraining program for the dog track employees effected by this bill. There would also be a $500 tax credit given to state residents who adopt a greyhound from one of the race tracks!
Photo courtesy of Grey2K USA Worldwide.
There are currently two operational dog tracks in West Virginia—Mardi Gras Casino in Kanawha County and Wheeling Island Casino in Ohio County. According to state veterinary records, over 3,000 greyhounds suffered bone fractures, resulting in the euthanasia of over 400 dogs between these two tracks since 2008. At any given time, these racetracks are kenneling approximately 1,400 dogs in stacked rows of small, wire cages barely large enough for them to stand or stretch. Some dogs are given performance-enhancing drugs while others are withheld medical care.
Clearly, there is nothing humane about dog racing. Bettors may win, but the dogs ALWAYS lose.
SB 285 has been introduced in the WV State Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Finance for consideration before being voted on by the senate.
Take Action: West Virginia residents, please contact your state senators and tell them to vote in favor of SB 285! Send them an email or call. Feel free to use and personalize the message below.
Dear Senator [Name],
I am writing to you to ask you to please vote in favor of Senate Bill 285, which would stop funding for the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund and help our state’s racing greyhounds retire to loving homes, rather than suffer through a life of confinement, injury, and neglect. $15 million in state gambling revenue is given to support this barbaric and failing industry. I believe that money would be better used for road repairs, healthcare, education, or the environment…anything but cruelty to animals.
Dog racing is already illegal in 41 states. Please vote in favor of SB 285 and put West Virginia on the right side of history! Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your State, City, Zip]
[Your Phone Number]