The Greyhound Protection Act of 2023 would ban commercial greyhound racing, live lure training, and open field coursing across the United States by amending the federal Animal Welfare Act. The legislation would make it illegal for anyone to conduct greyhound racing where betting occurs, to use live animals as bait in training greyhounds, to participate in open field coursing events, or to simulcast bets on greyhound races, with violations punishable by fines and up to seven years in prison. The bill affects greyhound racing track operators, breeders, trainers, and those involved in coursing clubs, as well as the small number of live racing tracks still operating primarily in West Virginia. Congress finds that the greyhound racing industry is already nearly defunct, with only two tracks remaining in the country after recent closures in Florida and other states, and that the industry has documented serious animal welfare concerns including injuries, confinement in small cages, and drug use. The bill does not preempt existing state laws and includes no new federal funding, as it primarily establishes prohibitions on an already-declining industry.
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