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BREAKING NEWS. In July 2020, GREY2K USA Worldwide investigators released video recordings of third generation greyhound breeder Tori Michelle Shepherd engaged in live lure training. She and her family operate UTOO Kennels of Elgin, which provides dogs for racing in multiple states. Federal and state complaints have been filed and the case is pending. "Live lure training" refers to the use of small animals, commonly rabbits, to excite and enhance a chase instinct in young greyhounds. Screaming animals are dangled before greyhounds, dragged in front of them on ropes, or simple set loose to be attacked. These fragile animals often suffer cruel and miserable deaths.
Starting in November 2016, a rotating schedule of greyhound racing was authorized at the state’s then-three remaining greyhound tracks: Valley Race Park, Gulf Greyhound Park, and Gulf Coast Racing. Each track would host 36 live race meets from November through February, once every three years.1 This allowed them all to offer simulcasting. On June 30, 2020, Gulf Greyhound Park, the track which had hosted all live races since 2017, announced its immediate closure.2
Greyhound racing had previously ceased in Texas with the closure of Gulf Greyhound Park in December 2015.3 However, by virtue of a deal between the industry and the Texas Racing Commission, a rotating schedule was implemented which permits the racetracks to exploit a legal technicality allowing for year-round simulcast wagering at all three racetracks.4 According to Texas Rules of Racing Chapter 321, a license to operate a pari-mutuel racetrack “includes as a part of its privileges the privilege of conducting pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast races.”5 As long as tracks have been granted race dates in the future, even three years in the future, they can legally offer more lucrative simulcast wagering on dog races taking place elsewhere
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