Advocates for animal rights are increasing pressure on Churchill Downs, the site of the Kentucky Derby, regarding the inhumane practice of greyhound racing. They contend that this renowned racetrack is damaging its image by being the last major venue in the United States to still permit this contentious sport.
A prominent animal welfare group, Grey2K USA, has initiated a campaign to bring to light the predicament of greyhounds at Churchill Downs. They have established a website, TwinspiresCruelty.org, containing troubling details about the industry and are urging individuals to add their names to a petition demanding that Bill Carstanjen, the CEO of Churchill Downs, finally cease greyhound racing at the track. They are also attempting to connect with Kentucky residents directly through focused advertisements on Facebook.
“Churchill Downs asserts a commitment to social responsibility, yet they are providing a stage for a fading industry that confines, exploits, and frequently euthanizes docile greyhounds,” declared Christine Dorchak, a well-known animal attorney and the president of Grey2K USA. “The time has come for them to align their actions with their words and terminate this cruelty.”
Greyhound racing is already prohibited in the majority of the nation, with only a few tracks remaining, primarily in West Virginia. The sport has been in a sharp decline for decades as an increasing number of Americans become aware of the suffering these canines endure. In 2021 alone, hundreds of racing greyhounds sustained injuries, with many experiencing fractured bones.
Dorchak highlighted the stark discrepancy between Churchill Downs’ public persona and the reality of greyhound racing. “Churchill Downs and its online wagering platform, TwinSpires, are attempting to have it both ways. They desire the prestige of the Kentucky Derby but are prepared to profit from the misery of thousands of dogs behind closed doors. That type of avarice has no place in contemporary society.”
They felt strongly that any company connected to greyhound racing is gambling significantly with its public image. Citizens of Florida overwhelmingly voted to prohibit dog racing, becoming the first state in the nation to enact such a measure. Furthermore, there’s considerable backing in the legislature to make it illegal across the country.