Grey2k USA Worldwide, the world’s largest greyhound protection group, has launched a campaign urging Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) to halt its greyhound racing operations. It has highlighted to the general public that CDI is the last major corporation in the US still propping up dog racing.
Grey2k USA President and General Counsel Christine A. Dorchak commented: “If CDI takes its own corporate social responsibility policy seriously, it will stop supporting an activity that is out of step with mainstream American values.
“CDI and its subsidiary, TwinSpires, are propping up the final remnants of an industry that is responsible for the confinement, deaths and abuse of thousands of dogs. Such greed is unacceptable in today's increasingly humane economy.”
As part of the campaign to educate the public on this subject, Grey2k USA has launched a website called TwinSpiresCruelty.org. Additionally, the protection group has begun a series of Facebook ads and launched a Change.org petition, urging CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen to cease greyhound racing.
Dorchak further said: “We believe there is a reputational risk for any company that continues to align itself with greyhound racing. We are especially concerned that TwinSpires is offering races from Agua Caliente on its betting platform.
“Caliente is a Tijuana-based dog track with no animal welfare standards that is owned by a controversial figure with alleged ties to organized crime."
What remains of the gambling market on dog racing now occurs over online platforms. In 2022, the largest competitor to Churchill Downs, TVG, removed dog racing from its platform, leaving CDI as the largest remaining supplier of greyhound wagering in the US.
