Rep. Klarides-Ditria Supports Ban on Greyhound Racing

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-105), co-chair of the legislature’s Animal Welfare Caucus, today submitted testimony in support of HB 5174 and a ban on greyhound racing in the state. The proposed bill would also institute a ban on simulcast racing from other locations, preventing bettors from gambling on out-of-state dog races.

Her testimony reads:

Public Safety and Security Committee

Public Testimony

February 22, 2022

Testimony in support of: House Bill 5174

Chairmen Horn and Osten, Ranking Members Howard and Champagne and Distinguished Members of the Public Safety and Security Committee, I write to you today in strong support of House Bill 5174: An Act Prohibiting the Operation of Greyhound Racing in the State.

As Co-Chair of the Animal Welfare Caucus I feel that this is an important piece of legislation for our state to enact, as many states within our country now prohibit the cruel unnecessary sport of greyhound racing. While greyhound racing has been on the decline for many years, it is time to have our laws mirror this trend through establishing further laws, regulations, and protections to prohibit greyhound racing in our state.

Our state once housed two greyhound racing facilities. While they both have closed, with many of these facilities now closing nationwide, this change in what was once a popular pastime is largely due to the hard work of our animal advocacy groups bringing us to the realization of how dogs are treated cruelly and inhumanely at these racetracks and moving us to collective action to do better. An important aspect of this proposal is that any person or business issued a license to conduct dog racing shall establish an adoption program for the proper care, financial support, and housing of retired greyhounds. This is a piece of the problem as many greyhounds who have already suffered so much during their racing careers face even worse treatment as they age and become unprofitable and unwanted for racing. This legislation, if passed, will also help ensure that these animals are cared for instead of being carelessly discarded or needlessly euthanized.

It is my hope as well as the hope of the Animal Welfare Caucus that the Committee will vote favorably on HB 5174 to prohibit the operation of greyhound racing in our state.