The Greyhound Protection Act of 2025 would amend the Animal Welfare Act to ban commercial greyhound racing, live lure training (using live animals to train greyhounds), and open field coursing (releasing greyhounds to chase and kill wild animals) nationwide. The bill prohibits these activities when greyhounds or bait animals are moved across state lines or internationally, and makes it illegal to breed, train, transport, or sell greyhounds for racing purposes or to bet on greyhound races, including online and simulcast wagering. Violations would carry penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines. The law would take effect on October 1, 2027, giving the industry time to adjust. The bill notes that the greyhound racing industry is nearly defunct—only two tracks remain in West Virginia after voter-approved closures in Florida and voluntary shutdowns in Arkansas and Iowa—and that racing dogs suffer severe injuries, confinement, and drug abuse, while live lure training causes suffering to small animals like rabbits and hares.
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