American Humane Association Policy Statement Dog Racing Dog racing continues to grow in popularity in the United States, where its proponents seek legislation to establish dog racing in states that do not allow it, and open new tracks in states that do. Cruelty is an unavoidable by-product of dog racing. Even though it has been banned by the National Greyhound Association, training of greyhounds with live rabbits or other animals is still practiced. The dogs are allowed to chase, terrorize, and rip apart the animal lures. If a rabbit succeeds in avoiding capture and death in one chase, it is used again until it is finally caught and killed. The dogs themselves suffer from a planned breeding, testing, and rejection program that creates an unwanted overpopulation of racing dogs that do not "make the grade" on the track. This deliberate breeding adds to an already uncontrollable and tragic overpopulation problem with the general pet population. Despite some efforts to find homes for unwanted racing dogs, the majority are destroyed by their owners or taken to animal shelters to be euthanized. Further, forcing dogs to race up to 60 or 70 times a year in "hard track" conditions has resulted in an epidemic of crippling leg injuries. In 1985, up to two thirds of advertised stud dogs were retired due to injury. The American Humane Association is opposed to dog racing and the use of live lure training that often accompanies it. The American Humane Association opposes any legislation that would legalize dog racing in areas where it is illegal, and advocates legislative change to ban dog racing where it currently exists. (American Humane Association: 63 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colorado 80112-5117) Return to the main news page