West Virginia lawmakers went on record last week urging two of the state’s most prominent federal figures — Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Sen. Jim Justice — to back a move that would effectively end greyhound racing in the state.
The push came from members of the state legislature, who want Capito and Justice to use their positions in Washington to support legislation that would shut down the industry. West Virginia is one of a handful of states where commercial dog racing still operates.
The call to act
Greyhound racing has hung on in West Virginia longer than almost anywhere else in the country — tracks elsewhere have closed over the past two decades as the industry lost both revenue and public support. The state’s remaining racing operations are tied to gambling facilities, where simulcast wagering has kept them financially connected even as live racing attendance dropped off years ago.
Animal welfare groups have pressed for a federal ban for years, arguing that dogs in racing programs suffer injuries and live in poor conditions. Industry supporters counter that the tracks provide jobs and that existing state regulations are sufficient oversight.
Whether Capito or Justice will respond to the lawmakers’ request — or what specific federal legislation they’re being asked to support — hadn’t been announced as of Tuesday, June 24, 2026.
