Greyhound Protection Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
- Committees
- Agriculture Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 13, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to end commercial greyhound racing and related practices nationwide by making them federally illegal, citing animal welfare concerns and the industry's documented decline and cruelty.
What it actually does
This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish a federal prohibition on commercial greyhound racing, live lure training, and open field coursing across the United States. It makes it unlawful to engage in these activities, including associated betting and the interstate transport of greyhounds for these purposes, and expands the definition of 'animal' to explicitly include hares, which are often used as live bait.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that the bill is a critical measure to end the documented cruelty and suffering of greyhounds and bait animals, citing public records of severe injuries, drug use, prolonged confinement, and the inherent cruelty of live lure training and open field coursing. They emphasize that the industry is already in steep decline and financially unsustainable, making federal intervention necessary to ensure animal welfare.
Opponents contend
Opponents, primarily the few remaining greyhound track owners and participants, might argue that the bill represents federal overreach into state-regulated activities, potentially causing economic harm to their businesses and employees. They may contend that existing state regulations are sufficient to address animal welfare concerns, or that the bill infringes upon their rights to operate a legal business or engage in traditional sporting activities.
The bill is concise and clearly written, allowing an informed reader to quickly grasp its core provisions and implications.
Section 3(a), adding new Section 30(a) to the Animal Welfare Act
Federal Prohibition on Commercial Greyhound Racing and Related Activities
This provision makes it unlawful for any person to knowingly engage in commercial greyhound racing, conduct racing meetings where betting occurs, facilitate simulcast betting on greyhound races, or sell, buy, possess, train, transport, deliver, or receive any greyhound for these purposes, if greyhounds are moved in interstate or foreign commerce. This effectively bans the commercial greyhound racing industry nationwide.
Supporters argue
Animal welfare advocates argue this prohibition is essential to end the systemic cruelty, injuries, drug use, and inhumane confinement documented within the commercial greyhound racing industry, which has been in decline for decades.
Critics contend
Remaining greyhound track owners and industry participants might argue this federal ban eliminates their livelihoods, restricts a legal form of entertainment, and constitutes an undue federal intervention into activities traditionally regulated by states.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the economic interests and traditional practices of a declining industry against the ethical imperative to protect animals from documented cruelty and suffering.
Section 3(a), adding new Section 30(a) to the Animal Welfare Act
Federal Prohibition on Live Lure Training and Open Field Coursing
This provision makes it unlawful to knowingly engage in live lure training or open field coursing events involving greyhounds moved in interstate or foreign commerce, specifically prohibiting the use of any bait that is not an inanimate object. It also bans the sale, purchase, possession, training, transport, delivery, or receipt of greyhounds for these purposes.
Section 3(a), adding new Section 30(c) to the Animal Welfare Act
Criminal Penalties for Violations
This section establishes that any person who violates the prohibitions on commercial greyhound racing, live lure training, or open field coursing will face fines under the Animal Welfare Act, imprisonment for up to 7 years, or both, for each instance of violation. This provides a strong deterrent against non-compliance.
Section 3(b)
Inclusion of Hares in Animal Welfare Act Definition
This amendment modifies Section 2(g) of the Animal Welfare Act to explicitly include 'hare' alongside 'rabbit' in the definition of 'animal.' This ensures that hares receive the same protections under the Act as other specified animals, reinforcing the prohibition on their use as live bait.
Section 3(c)
Delayed Applicability of Amendments
This provision stipulates that the amendments made by the bill will apply to conduct occurring on or after October 1, 2027. This provides a transition period of over two years from the bill's introduction date, allowing existing operations time to cease activities and for greyhounds to be rehomed.