Greyhound racing in the United States

The first greyhound in the United States was registered in 1894[5] and the oval form of racing with a mechanical or artificial hare was started by Owen Patrick Smith in 1912. California was the first state to introduce an oval greyhound track in May 1920, it was the first mechanical lure oval circuit in the world. Smith opened the track at Emeryville.[6] The Emeryville arena was torn down in February 1920 to make way for the construction of a modern racetrack using the mechanical lure, described in the press as the "automatic rabbit" [7] The first race at the new park was on Saturday, May 29, 1920 [8]

A greyhound called Joe Dump set a world record of 31 race wins in 1978 and 1979; the red brindle dog was trained by JC Stanley and owned by Joe Fallon and raced primarily at Greenetrack. The record was subsequently beaten by Ballyregan Bob.[9] On 4 June 1994 a greyhound bitch called Pat C Rendezvous won her 33rd consecutive race to break Ballyregan Bob's world record and went on to win 36 consecutive races.[10][11] In 1998 a greyhound called Leos Midas won for the 103rd time to equal the United States record number of total races won, the race was at Orange Park.[12]

In November 2018 the Florida public passed a State Constitutional Amendment making betting on live greyhound racing at Florida tracks illegal from 2021.[13][14]

There are currently 4 active tracks in the United States. Greyhound racing in Florida ended on December 31, 2020 after the passage of a state constitutional amendment in 2018. A number of Florida tracks closed earlier in 2020 due to COVID and never reopened and then there was a gradual phase-out throughout the fall and winter with the impending deadline, but the Palm Beach Kennel Club raced up until 11:59 PM on the final day.

The one active greyhound track in Arkansas will be phased out by the end of 2022 and is highlighted in blue.

Crated greyhound at Jefferson County Kennel Club

At American tracks, greyhounds are kept in kennel compounds, in crates that are approximately three feet wide, four feet deep, and three feet high.[33] Most kennels turn the dogs out 4 to 6 times per day. Each turnout can be from 30 to 90 minutes.[34] Because greyhound kennels often house upwards of 50–70 dogs, crating is essential to the safety and wellbeing of canine life.[35]

In addition to state law and regulations, most tracks adopt their own rules, policies and procedures. In exchange for the right to race their greyhounds at the track, kennel owners must sign contracts in which they agree to abide by all track rules, including those pertaining to animal welfare. If kennel owners violate these contract clauses, they stand to lose their track privileges and even their racing licenses. In order to be licensed to own, handle a race dog or work in a kennel, dog professionals must have a FBI background check and be licensed by the states. Additionally, the National Greyhound Association holds their membership to strict standards towards the care and handling of the dogs. Failure to comply can result in lifetime termination of membership and a ban from the sport.

In Florida the amount gambled at dog tracks declined by 72% between 1990 and 2013.[36] According to a study commissioned by the legislature, the state lost between $1 million and $3.3 million on greyhound racing in 2012.[37] As recently as 2016, Florida industry professionals questioned if wagering was declining or transitioning to unreported online formats.[38]

In 2017, an animal rights organization alleged that a Pet Blood Bank in Texas was using former racing greyhounds for blood draws, and that the dogs were housed in unacceptable conditions.[39] The farm was unconnected to the National Greyhound Association (NGA) who subsequently barred members from sending greyhounds to blood banks.[40]