Greyhounds race at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in this undated photo. A bipartisan group of U.S. House of Representatives members is making another attempt at phasing out greyhound racing at West Virginia’s two tracks, but state and federal lawmakers have called them out. (File Photo)

WHEELING — A provision in the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 that passed the U.S. House on Thursday would criminalize greyhound racing nationwide. That means the nation’s two remaining dog tracks — Wheeling Island Casino Hotel Racetrack and Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, both located in West Virginia — could see greyhound racing come to an end unless the Senate intervenes.

The House passed H.R. 7567 by a 224-200 vote. Both of West Virginia’s representatives — Riley Moore, a Republican representing the 2nd District, and Carole Miller, a Republican representing the 1st District — voted in favor of the resolution, meaning they voted to make greyhound racing a criminal offense.

Moore, whose district includes Wheeling, had offered an amendment earlier that would have exempted the tracks in West Virginia from the provision. That amendment was defeated 239-187. Miller voted for the amendment as well.

“This is an historic victory for everyone who cares about dogs,” said GREY2K USA Worldwide Executive Director Carey Theil. “It is the result of years of hard work by grassroots advocates and greyhound rescuers. …

“The walls are closing in on this cruel industry. Greyhound racing is illegal in 44 states, and since 2022 gambling on greyhound racing has been outlawed in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Greyhound racing only exists in West Virginia because of subsidies totaling more than $19 million each year. The company that owns the final two dog tracks (Delaware North) wants out of racing, but is required by law to continue to subsidize the activity to maintain its casino licenses.”

But the financial impact to a city such as Wheeling could be massive.

Wheeling led the charge many years ago to protect greyhound racing in the state, as it creates jobs and produces revenue for the city.

“We’ve twice made the case to the Legislature on the importance of greyhound racing to our region,” Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said. “Our point is this should not a matter for the federal government but for the state.”

Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, a longtime proponent of greyhound racing in West Virginia, expressed frustration over the lack of attention brought to this issue by West Virginia’s House members.

“To me, I didn’t feel like there was any push from our local representation to get on top of this, to secure the votes for the amendment” to allow greyhound racing to continue in West Virginia, Fluharty said. “That’s disappointing. It’s going to have a devastating impact, particularly on the Northern Panhandle, and we should have had our congressional delegation sounding the alarm.

“They never did. Hopefully Sen. Capito and Sen. Justice can deal with this in the Senate.”

Former Delegate Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, also worked for years to protect greyhound racing in the state. She too expressed disappointment with the potential for racing to end at West Virginia’s two race tracks.

“My primary concern would be for those families that might be affected — the jobs in our community and our state that greyhound racing provides,” Storch said. “I took every opportunity as a House member to understand this industry, to meet with the people that worked there, to go to the kennels, to meet with the breeders, to speak with the veterinarians, to really get a picture of what that industry looks like. It’s so strange to me that Congress is considering eliminating an entire industry.”

She also addressed the impact it would have throughout the state.

“It will negatively impact our municipalities and our counties, which receive money from racing. You also can’t discount the people that come here for the greyhounds. Without that, there’s really nothing to differentiate the casino in Wheeling from, say, The Meadows or The Rivers. That could really impact people traveling here.”

Wheeling Councilman Dave Palmer echoed the concerns with Congress’ involvement in a state issue. “Why is the federal government telling the states what they can and cannot do? It’s hard to believe a provision to kill an industry that’s been legal for 100 years, they have to sneak it through a farm bill.”

Messages left with Rep. Moore, Wheeling Island Casino Hotel Racetrack and Steve Sarras, a local breeder and member of the National Greyhound Association, were not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.