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H.R. 5017: Greyhound Protection Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Greyhound Protection Act of 2025, aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act to prohibit certain practices related to greyhound racing and training. Here are the main provisions of the bill:

Prohibitions

The bill makes it unlawful for anyone to engage in commercial greyhound racing, which is defined as any racing event where betting occurs.
It prohibits live lure training, where live animals are used as bait to train greyhounds.
It bans open field coursing, an activity where greyhounds chase live animals in a field setting.
Simulcast betting on greyhound races in interstate and foreign commerce would also be illegal, along with the sale, purchase, training, or transport of greyhounds for these purposes.

Enforcement and Penalties

The bill allows for investigations into violations of these prohibitions. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to conduct these investigations and may work with federal and local law enforcement agencies. Violators of the bill could face penalties, including fines and imprisonment for up to seven years for each violation.

Legal Definitions and Applicability

The bill clarifies that the term animal now includes hares as well as rabbits.
These new provisions will apply to actions occurring on or after October 1, 2027.

Grandfather Clause

The bill specifies that it does not interfere with any state laws that already exist regarding gambling or the protection of animal welfare, meaning states can continue to enact and enforce their regulations independently.

Background and Rationale

The bill presents findings that raise concerns about the welfare of racing greyhounds, citing issues like injuries suffered during races, confinement conditions, drug use, and the use of live bait animals for training. It notes that commercial greyhound racing is declining, with many tracks closing, and argues that protecting greyhounds from these practices is necessary.

Impact of the Bill

The bill aims to provide enhanced protection for greyhounds and other animals involved in these activities while reflecting changing societal views on animal welfare.