Governor Ned Lamont has signed legislation prohibiting dog racing in the state of Connecticut, which comes into effect October 1 2024.
There had been laws and regulations that allowed dog racetracks to operate in the Constitution State, but this new law will mean the sport will no longer be allowed to take place in the state.
Dog racing had been taking place in Connecticut since the 1990s, with two venues, namely Plainfield Greyhound Park and Shoreline Star Greyhound Park hosting it. Today, both of these venues are no longer operating, having closed their doors in 2005.
Animal protection advocates had urged the General Assembly and the governor to bring in a law that prevented those racetracks from opening again in the future, with Connecticut being one of the last states in the country to ban dog racing.
Governor Lamont said: “Dog racing is a cruel activity and it has no place in Connecticut... Signing this bill is an easy decision.”
State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria added, “I appreciate and want to thank each and every colleague who joined our efforts to ban dog racing in Connecticut, especially Governor Lamont who has been committed to animal protection.”
Similarly, last year, greyhound protection group Grey2K USA revealed plans to fly an airplane banner ad above the Kentucky Derby related to Churchill Downs’ support for dog racing.
