from the direct path of the train that morning, sparing me from certain death under its wheels. We both suffered terrible injuries and spent years in recovery. But I made a promise that if I should ever be able to walk and talk and care for myself again, I would spend my life helping dogs.

 

Q: What are some of the immediate and long-term goals for GREY2K?When we first organized as a one-time ballot question campaign in 1999, our goal was to end dog racing in our home state of Massachusetts. This was a huge task, as we hoped to close down two of the most historic tracks in the country. But as we learned more about the interstate and then international scope of greyhound gambling, we were struck by all the suffering our American invention had caused. We realized that cruelty has no borders. At present, we are keenly focused on passing prohibitions on dog racing in every US state and federally, even as we join with our allies around the globe to pass parliamentary petitions and try to save the sweet dogs suffering at foreign racetracks. If we all work together, we can give greyhounds everywhere the second chance they deserve.

 

Q: How do you plan to apply and use the success that we have just accomplished in CT banning Greyhound racing?
It is wonderful to finally pass a prohibition on dog racing in the Nutmeg State! I first wrote the legislation in 2017 but year-in and year-out, the bill would pass in one chamber but not the other. In May, the stars finally aligned – and that’s why we were so grateful for our partnership with CT Votes for Animals every step of the way. The fact that Connecticut has become the 43 rd state to say no to dog racing will absolutely show momentum and help convince the remaining states to do the same.

Q: What are the next steps for CT?
Now that live racing is outlawed, and Belmont and other tracks cannot reopen, it is important to take the next step and end all forms of greyhound gambling in the state. Right now, anyone with a cell phone can bet on dog races taking place elsewhere, at any time. Remote wagering is propping up the cruelty of live racing in West Virginia and in foreign countries, like Mexico, where there are few if any humane protections in place. The overbreeding is so intense that unwanted puppies and failed racers are simply called “wastage.”

Q: What do you see as the primary greyhound welfare concerns nationally and internationally?
As long as greyhound racing continues, innocent hounds will suffer and die. Racing greyhounds are kept in stacked metal cages in long rows inside dark warehouses, spending an average of 20-23 hours a day in confinement. This is no way to treat a dog or any sentient animal! And the cruelty starts from day one. A mother greyhound may give birth to 6-12 pups at a time, so decisions are made from the start as to which dogs will be “worth keeping.” This underbelly of cruelty is the sine qua non of an outdated and unpopular form of gambling which is literally built on the exploitation of dogs. Only the fastest dogs survive breeding farms and move on to racing, where they face death and injury at every turn. Since 2010, over 12,000 injuries have been reported, the most common being a broken leg. Other injuries include crushed skulls, paralysis, electrocution and broken backs. This is a dying industry, but the problem is that it's taking beautiful dogs down with it.

Q: How has your local partnerships impacted your mission and success?
One of the key lessons we learned, and something we focus on in our new book, Brooklyn Goes Home, the Rise and Fall of American Greyhound Racing and the Dog that Inspired a Movement, is that dogs are political animals! We came to understand that it takes people from both sides of the aisle, of all ages and backgrounds, and every point of view to come together in the political process to defeat this cruel industry. And so many wonderful volunteers have come forward, armed with common sense and compassion, to help save greyhounds far and wide. Our partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations both here in the United States and across the globe have been the very key to closing down tracks and rescuing greyhounds. The happiest moment from the last 25 years came when we
joined with ANIMA Macau and Pet Levrieri of Italy to close down the only legal dog track in China. Together, we airlifted 532 surviving dogs to safety. Hundreds of adoption groups in ten countries coordinated with our coalition to make greyhound dreams come true.

Q: If someone wanted to rescue, foster, or adopt a greyhound, what steps should they take?
Now that all but two American tracks are closed, American-born hounds are in high demand. Happily, this has led to a miraculous and continuing rescue effort by US groups to save greyhounds now sitting on death row in other countries. The nearly 1,000 Australian and Irish greyhounds who have found homes in
our country since 2023 are all dogs who would otherwise have been killed. But now they have been saved. Anyone interested in adopting or supporting this effort may consult our adoption referral page at any time.

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