State
by State - West Virginia
Action Alerts
03/01/10: Watch New Video of WV Greyhound Racing Injuries & Join Our Governors' Initiative
01/28/10: More Than 700 greyhounds Injured at Wheeling Island Dog Track, 62 Dogs Die.
Quick Facts
In West Virginia, there are two operating dog tracks.
Tri-State
Greyhound Park (Cross Lanes)
Wheeling
Island (Wheeling)
Breaking News
01/26/09: More than 700 greyhounds injured at Wheeling Island dog track, 62 dogs die. Click here to read the action alert or here to read the press release.
Greyhound Injury Records Released
According to state records obtained from the West Virginia Racing Commission, at least 707 greyhounds were reported injured at Wheeling Island between January 2008 and September 2009. More than one hundred of these injuries involved broken legs, and other reported injuries included dislocations, broken ankles, lacerations, fractured skulls and spinal injuries. Additionally, 62 dogs died or were euthanized during this period.
These reports also document individual dogs that suffered fatal injuries. For example:
- On July 1, 2009 a greyhound died after being hit by the mechanical lure and suffering head trauma and seizures.
- On September 2, 2009 a dog was euthanized after suffering a spinal cord injury.
- On September 4, 2009 a greyhound was euthanized after suffering a broken leg. On the same day, another dog collapsed after a race and died.
Additionally, more than 1,000 dogs were prevented from racing during this period due to illness or injury.
Tools to Help You Act Locally
The following are in PDF format. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.
Fact
Sheet: The Commercial Dog Racing in the United States
Helpful Tips: Working
with the Media
Helpful
Tips: Letters to the Editor
Lobbying
101 (courtesy of HSUS)
State Links & Other Resources
West Virginia Racing Commission
Governor's Web Site
West Virginia
State Legislature
Project
Vote Smart
