# Plain Language Summary: Greyhound Protection Act of 2021

This bill makes it illegal to use the internet and other wire communications to gamble on greyhound racing and field coursing events. It also prohibits transporting greyhounds, rabbits, hares, and other animals across state lines for the purpose of racing or training dogs to chase live animals. Essentially, the bill targets the infrastructure that keeps these industries running—if you can't bet on races online or through wire communications, the economic engine behind commercial dog racing shuts down.

The bill's supporters point to documented welfare concerns in the industry. According to the findings in the bill, racing greyhounds are often confined to small metal cages for 20 to 23 hours a day, suffer serious injuries like broken backs and necks during races, and are sometimes given illegal drugs. Additionally, the bill addresses "live lure training," where small animals like rabbits are used to train greyhounds by being chased and killed. This practice is already banned in over a dozen states, but the bill would create a federal prohibition by cutting off the ability to transport these animals across state lines for this purpose.

The timing of this legislation reflects a declining industry. Twenty-five years ago, there were 60 greyhound racing tracks across the country; by the time this bill was introduced, only a handful remained operating. Florida voters had already approved a measure to phase out racing, and other states were following suit. The bill essentially codifies what's already happening in the marketplace and through state-level action, making it a federal crime to use modern communication technology to support these activities. The law takes effect on December 31, 2022, giving the remaining industry time to wind down operations.

Greyhound Protection Act of 2021

Cárdenas, Tony

Greyhound Protection Act of 2021 This bill modifies the federal criminal statute commonly known as the Wire Act. Currently, the Wire Act contains four prohibitions on the use of a wire transmission facility (e.g., the telephone or internet) for certain gambling activities. All four prohibitions apply to sports gambling. However, there have been conflicting interpretations of the applicability of the prohibitions to nonsports gambling (e.g., state lotteries). This bill amends the Wire Act to expressly state that the statute does not authorize the use of wire communications to gamble on commercial greyhound racing or permit the transport of animals for commercial dog racing or related activities.