Greyhound Racing is a Dying Business

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

The House Committee on Commerce voted in favor of a bill that will reduce greyhound racing at Tucson Greyhound Park (TGP) from 50 weeks to 100 days each year. Senate Bill 1273 is now headed for a plenary vote in the full House.

According to Christine A. Dorchak, President and General Counsel for GREY2K USA, a national non-profit organization dedicated to passing stronger greyhound protection laws and ending the cruelty of dog racing, “The language of the bill creates a two-step process in which first the track drops to just 100 days of racing and then after February 2013, may go to end dog racing entirely.”

SB 1273 also eliminates a state law which requires TGP to hold greyhound races year round, including the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter.

Christine is quite optimistic. She believes this legislation means the beginning of the end of live dog racing in Arizona. “Where there were once five tracks in Arizona, now there is just one.”

Thanks to the GREY2K USA Team
• In 2011 – South Africa announced it will not introduce dog racing, following the recommendation of GREY2K USA and advocates worldwide.

• In 2010 – the Rhode Island and New Hampshire legislatures passed their bills to prohibit dog racing.

• Also in 2010, GREY2K USA helped draft a prohibition of dog racing which became law in the U.S. Territory of Guam.

• More than two dozen dog tracks have closed or ended dog racing since GREY2K USA’s formation in 2001.

• In 38 states, commercial dog racing is illegal.

• Since GREY2K USA’s formation in 2001, the dog racing industry has been cut in half.

For more information on the progress and initiatives that GREY2K USA is working on click here

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