United States of America
2 Tracks
There are two greyhound tracks in West Virginia, Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes and Wheeling Island Casino & Racetrack. Races are conducted year-round at both facilities, with a total of 513 race meets held in 2023.1 A population of nearly 600 dogs race at Mardi Gras and 1,000 at Wheeling.2
Since 2015, over 5,000 dogs have been injured while racing in the state. In 2022 alone, 666 greyhounds were injured, the highest on record since 2014. A further 568 hounds sustained injuries in 2023. According to state records, innocent hounds suffered torn and twisted muscles, dislocations, seizures, heat stroke, broken tails and puncture wounds – and just since 2021, at least twenty-seven dogs have died! GT’s Cocobolo had a heart attack at the age of three. One-year-old Flying Betty Lou crushed her skull in a practice race. And poor Flying Berrylook died of a stroke. She was just three years old. Other young dogs like Bye bye Mr White, Craigie Damask and CW Emilio were among the dogs with broken legs who were killed since 2022 by track vets.3
Every year greyhound breeders in West Virginia receive $17 million in subsidies, funds that could otherwise be used for vital state programs like fixing roads or substance abuse treatment.4
The dogs racing at the state's two dog tracks are bred both in and out of state. According to the President of the West Virginia Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association, close to 1,000 greyhounds are whelped in West Virginia annually.5
Two-year-old St Barts in a trail of blood at Mardi Gras.
Caged greyhounds at Wheeling Island in West Virginia. (Greyhound Relocation & Adoption Canada Forum)
Greyhounds at the Mardi Gras kennel in West Virginia. (Maupin Greyhound Racing Kennel, Mardi Gras)
A caged greyhound in West Virginia. (Maupin Greyhound Racing Kennel, Mardi Gras)
Racing greyhounds spend long hours each day in these cages. (KeepWVgreyhounds, Wheeling)
Braska Train was destroyed after the injuries he suffered during this race. (Wheeling Island)
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The West Virginia Racing Commission regulates greyhound racing in the state and is charged with enforcing the Rules of Racing.In 2023, the total amount wagered on live greyhound racing in the state was $8,819,511, a decline of 57percent from 2010.6
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West Virginia News
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Charleston Gazette-Mail - Could greyhound racing in WV be on its last legs?
PlayWV - West Virginia Casinos, The Only Option For Greyhound Racing
WBOY 12 - West Virginia is the only state with active greyhound racing
PlayWV.com - West Virginia’s The Only State To Offer Greyhound Racing, For Now
Read more >Tell Delaware North to drop dog races
Life in a cage, then death
Would you give $2 to close two tracks?
Sign petition to WV Governor Jim Justice to end dog racing
Read more >State Lawmakers Are Going to the Dogs
Fourth Dog Track Worker in West Virginia is Disciplined for Greyhound Abuse
Greyhounds Win Victories in West Virginia
Greyhound Breeders Fight WV Anti-Cruelty Policy
Read more >Sign our West Virginia petition
Stop subsidizing greyhound racing in West Virginia
Learn about dog racing internationally
Learn more about dog racing in other countries
Read our International Fact Sheet (PDF)
“Lower revenue means there's less in the way of money to care for the dogs since the operators must cut overhead. Case in point, the recent violations of a kennel operator who was charged with forging vaccination records — an obvious cost-saving measure by the kennel operator. Hundreds of greyhounds were placed in danger due to the act.”
— Danny Adkins, Vice President, Mardi Gras Casinos in Florida and West Virginia
West Virginia Resources:
Reports
Greyhound Racing in West Virginia
Fact Sheets
Greyhound Racing in West Virginia
Commercial Dog Racing in the United States
West Virginia State Links
West Virginia Racing Commission
Active West Virginia Tracks:
Tips
Working with the Media
Letters to the Editor
- West Virginia Racing Commission Annual Report 2023,West Virginia Racing Commission, 2023, racing.wv.gov(accessed July 11, 2024).
- "Evening Performance Program,” Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, July 22, 2013. ; W. Va. C.S.R §178-2-26.2.a ; Zack Harold, “Debate over number of races at Wheeling casino continues,” Charleston Daily Mail, February 13, 2013.
- Dr. Lori Bohenko, Wheeling Island Racetrack Veterinary Report, (Charleston WV: West Virginia Racing Commission, 2021-2023); Dr. Mark D. Webster, Veterinary emergencies, scratches, and racers inactivated due to track injuries at Mardi Gras Casino & Resort (Charleston WV: West Virginia Racing Commission, 2021-2023).
- Hoppy Kercheval. “Dog racing in West Virginia is fading fast down the stretch,” Metro News, December 17, 2018, wvmetronews.com (accessed July 31, 2019).
- Phil Kabler, “Funding allotment for greyhound training tracks questioned,” The Charleston Gazette, September 28, 2009.
- West Virginia Racing Commission Annual Report 2023,West Virginia Racing Commission, 2023, racing.wv.gov(accessed July 11, 2024).
