The Dog Days Of Greyhound Racing May Be Over

Like many industries in this country, the economy is hitting greyhound racing especially hard. So hard in fact, that dog racing in the U.S. may be facing extinction.

The national convention of the American Greyhound Track Owners Association that starts today at Caesars Palace is expected to draw about 120 people. Fifteen years ago the tally was over 400.

More than half of the nation’s greyhound tracks have closed because of lack of business in the past three decades. In 2009 alone, four tracks closed. Some states do not have any live dog racing at all.

It is true that profits are down for many companies because of the recession, however track owners also face constant pressure from animal rights groups looking to shut them down. Not to mention competition from casinos that seem to be popping up all other the place everyday.

In 2006, a track in Connecticut owned by the Keelan family was forced to shut down because they just couldn’t compete with the nearby giant Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos.

“It’s a different era now than it was 40 and 50 years ago,” says Karen Keelan. “The entertainment ideal is different today. There are so many things for people to do in their spare time.”