Campaign Update: Churchill Downs Shame
Breaking News! We flew a 75-foot banner over the 149th Kentucky Derby to inform the public that Churchill Downs and its online betting platform, Twin Spires, are propping up the cruelty of dog racing. It is the last major company to do so.
"If Churchill Downs takes its own corporate social responsibility policy seriously, it will stop supporting an activity that is out of step with mainstream American values," said GREY2K USA President and General Counsel Christine A. Dorchak. "Churchill Downs 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."
Tell TwinSpires to drop dog races
Dog racing is cruel and inhumane and causes suffering, injury, and death to thousands of gentle dogs each year. It is outlawed in 42 states, and only remains at two struggling tracks in West Virginia. TwinSpires, a division of Churchill Downs (CDI), is cashing in on cruelty and hoping that you don’t care about greyhounds.
CDI is a large, publicly traded company and claims to have a long tradition of social corporate responsibility. But it has turned a blind eye to greyhounds and its subsidiary continues to allow gamblers to place online bets on American dog races. Even worse, TwinSpires is promoting Mexican dog racing, where there are no animal welfare protections. Tijuana’s Agua Caliente is one of the worst dog tracks in the world and is owned by a controversial figure with alleged ties to organized crime. TwinSpires’ single-minded pursuit of profit has left it out of touch with mainstream values regarding how we treat dogs.
Today, please send an email to CEO William Carstanjen. Urge him to sever all ties with cruel greyhound racing, and remind him of his company’s pledge to be a good corporate citizen. TVG, a competing betting platform has already stopped carrying dog races! Mr. Carstanjen can also be reached directly at Bill.Carstanjen@kyderby.com.
More than a decade ago, we released this footage of greyhound injuries in West Virginia. Today, dogs are continuing to suffer and die at West Virginia racetracks.
News
Gambling Insider - Fanatics launches retail operation in Cleveland, while Caesars pulls greyhound racing in Massachusetts
Innovation & Tech Today Magazine - Is Technology Breathing New Life Into Inhumane Greyhound Racing?
Willammete Weekly - An Obscure Oregon Agency Props Up Greyhound and Horse Racing—and Gets Chicken Feed in Return
Alerts
See our new airplane banner for the greyhounds!
Urge Fidelity to Divest from Churchill Downs Over Dog Racing
Tell TwinSpires to drop dog races
Press Releases
Airplane Ad Over Kentucky Derby Urges Churchill Downs to End Ties to Dog Racing, May 5, 2023
Animal Protection Group Urges Churchill Downs to Sever Ties with Greyhound Racing, January 11, 2023