Victory for Dogs! Greyhound Racing Taking Final Lap in Texas

Greyhound dog racing is on its last lap in the United States. Few people are taking an interest in the “sport” and the industry is all but facing collapse as public awareness of cruel and inhumane practices involved in dog racing increases and other forms of gambling become more accessible. According to Grey 2K USA, a leading advocate on the issue, the total amount gambled on Greyhound racing nationwide declined by 68 percent between 2001 and 2013. Only seven states still have active tracks, but that number will go down to six by the New Year.

The Gulf Greyhound Park, the only live Greyhound racing track left in Texas, announced that it will cease its operations at the end of 2015 due to decreasing profits. In the world of Greyhound racing, where dogs are too often abused and injured, the closing of a race track is the only true victory.

Racing Greyhounds commonly suffer from broken legs, head trauma, electrocution, and broken backs. At Gulf Greyhound Park alone, there were 2,526 greyhound injuries have been reported and 108 Greyhounds have been euthanized since 2008, according to Grey 2K USA.

Simulcast betting will still exist at Gulf Greyhound Park, in which off-track betting can be viewed. However, the fewer live tracks there are to stream from, the fewer dogs will become victims of the industry.

To learn more about Greyhound racing in your state, click here. Want to help make a difference for racing dogs? Check out Grey 2K USA and keep up to date on their latest victories on their Facebook page.

Image source: Rainer Hungershausen/Flickr