I’ve been going to the Wheeling Island dog track since it first opened in the 1970s and know it’s only a matter of time until enough politicians will figure out a way to get rid of the sport. Sooner or later the right amount of campaign donations will make it happen. The owners of the two casinos don’t want it, and I’m pretty sure those involved in the sport know it’s inevitable. When was the last time anyone saw an advertisement in the media or even something on billboards while driving on the interstate?

To research and argue the financial issues of dog racing is useless at this point. Whoever is responsible for making the “Sport of Queens” disappear not only doesn’t advertise, they haven’t fixed or completed the painting of the tote board at Wheeling for months.

Dozens of times over the past decade I’ve been asked, “Do they still race dogs here?” even by people who are in the building.

As for the care of the dogs themselves, like a marriage, what goes on behind closed doors is not always known. Compared to having a small person on top of you whipping you while at full speed, or in a buggy behind you slapping you with a longer whip, if reincarnation gives you a choice of what animal to come back as, my choice is to be a greyhound. Even worse is rodeo animals. What happens to those poor things in retirement? How about the dogs which are used for police work? Once again, racing around a track chasing an imaginary rabbit four or five times a month looks a little bit safer. Finally, the worst of all dog abusers — the new trend of homeless and other drug users who check out fentanyl and other drugs on stray dogs.

West Virginia has a unique tourist attraction, and in my opinion, the most harmless and group-friendly form of gambling I’ve ever experienced. I hate to see it leave, but money always talks. Thanks for the memories.

Jay Knapp

Moundsville