Southland's Track Closing Marks Near End For Dog Racing (2024)

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Southland's Track Closing Marks Near End For Dog Racing? ›

The greyhound track's closing in Arkansas on the final day of 2022 signaled a near end nationwide to what once had been a thriving industry. Other recent track closings also have occurred across the country.

United States of America

Southland Greyhound Park in Memphis was the only operational track in Arkansas, but ended live dog racing in 2022. Greyhound racing remains legal in the state, however, as a prohibition has not yet passed into law.

Beginning in roughly 1990, and continuing over the next three decades, the vast majority of greyhound tracks have closed due to declining betting revenue, encroachment by Native American gaming and commercial casino gambling into states with greyhound racing, the legalization of sports betting and concerns over the ...

At the end of the year, hundreds of the narrow-headed, long-nosed dogs will stop chasing a mechanical rabbit around the Southland Casino Racing track as they have since 1956. It's the end of an era for the fans who once packed the now nearly empty West Memphis stands to bet on their favorites.

Cruel methods are often used to dispose of unwanted dogs and the dogs who do survive in the industry are forced to live in cramped crates, pens or fenced enclosures. Many racing dogs suffer injuries while racing; according to state records, a racing greyhound dies every three days on a Florida track.

COVID-19 and final service termination

COVID-19 caused a 95 percent drop in ridership. Thus, Greyhound reduced service on March 25, 2020 and suspended six routes on April 5, 2020. On May 6, 2020, Greyhound Canada announced it would permanently shut down all its remaining bus services which it did on May 13, 2021.

Southland Park boasts over 1,500 gaming machines, restaurants, bars, concession stands and a race track in West Memphis, Arkansas, and is one of many casino and gaming locations owned by Delaware North Companies.

I have to admit - now that almost every restaurant and bar is a no-smoking area, I find it a bit challenging when I go to any casino now and smoking is still allowed. Usually, I can find the non-smoking area and I am fine - but this casino allows smoking in every area.

At its opening in 1956, Southland became Arkansas's only greyhound racetrack, following in the tradition of the earlier Riverside Kennel Club, which was the first greyhound track in West Memphis.

There are two greyhound tracks in West Virginia, Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes and Wheeling Island Casino & Racetrack. Races are conducted year-round at both facilities, with a total of 513 race meets held in 2023. A population of nearly 600 dogs race at Mardi Gras and 1,000 at Wheeling.

What states still allow dog racing? ›

Today, the only states that still allow greyhound racing and have active tracks are Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia. There are four states that do not have active racetracks, but still have laws legalizing greyhound racing. Those states are Wisconsin, Connecticut, Kansas, and Oregon.

Some “retired” greyhounds are put up for adoption, others are sent to breeding farms, and the fate of many is unknown. The National Greyhound Association, which registers all greyhounds for racing, doesn't keep track of the dogs after they leave the track.

The GBGB said 306 greyhounds were put to sleep or died naturally in 2022, compared to 932 in 2018, representing a reduction of 67 per cent. The GBGB says it takes animal welfare issues seriously and is committed to reducing deaths and injuries.

As the Riders remained on board, the mob hit the bus with bats and pipes, slashed its tires, and shouted insults. After local law enforcement intervened, the bus departed for Birmingham. (Inset photo: Protestors at Greyhound Bus Station. Photograph courtesy Public Library of Anniston and Calhoun County).

Five years later, greyhound racing in Florida is finished, the last dogs are living in adopted homes and the closed kennel clubs are valuable property — but unfinished business remains.

After 29 years in business, the track closed in June 2020 and was bought out by developers Jerome and Leslie Karam of JMK5 Holdings. The couple's plans for the space include converting much of the park into a large concert venue, boasting a 12,000 seat capacity.