US Greyhound Racing on the Decline

A toxicological consultant in Corvallis, Oregon, Dr. A. Morrie Craig is a former professor and researcher at Oregon State University who also earned his doctor of philosophy in biophysics from the institution. Outside of the lab, Dr. Craig’s interests include greyhounds and greyhound racing. He worked extensively with the American Greyhound Council to improve the care of the racing and retired Greyhounds by co-authoring the textbook Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhounds. In addition, he also established the drug testing program for the National Greyhound Association to insure fair racing performance. Dr Craig has spoken in educational seminars that focus on adopted Greyhounds in Abilene, Kansas in the past and again, this September. For these efforts, he has been inducted into the Greyhound Hall of Fame.

According NBC, greyhound racing in Florida is expected to be on the decline. Almost two years ago, Florida voters decided to approve an amendment outlawing the races. Prior to the passage of Amendment 13, Florida was considered the mecca of dog racing. At that time, the state was home to 11 of the 17 remaining dog tracks across six states. The last track in Florida - Derby Lane in St. Petersburg - closed on New Year’s Eve 2020. With its closure kicking off 2021, many believe lingering tracks around the country will follow. However, among the veterinary clinicians who care for the thousands of retired Greyhounds, his textbook on the care of the unique dogs is still a primary reference medical text.

Some racing enthusiasts find the closures a sad ending to what many believed was a great sport. In the 1980s, greyhounds raced on more than 60 tracks. However, as of January 1, 2021, only four tracks in West Virginia, Arkansas, and Iowa remain open.