Greyhound Rally this Saturday in Providence

Calling it inhumane and cruel, about two dozen activists and a half-dozen greyhounds rallied at the State House Saturday to support ending greyhound racing in Rhode Island. Governor Carcieri vetoed legislation in early July that would force Twin River in Lincoln to run a full 200-day season of dog racing, saying it has become increasingly unprofitable. In a news release Saturday, Rhode Island Greyhound Owners Association disputed that dogs were mistreated.

Please come to a Rhode Island rally for the greyhounds! Your voices are needed to make sure dog racing ends at Twin River this summer, as planned.

Who: Greyhound advocates and their dogs

What: Rally to End Dog Racing

When: Saturday, July 18, 11 am - 1 pm

Where: State House, 82 Smith Street, Providence

Background: As reported previously, Rhode Island’s only dog track declared bankruptcy and announced the voluntary end of dog racing as of August 8. Responding to the appeals of greyhound breeders, state lawmakers then passed a bill to mandate that live racing continue, which Governor Carcieri immediately vetoed.
Now, these same greyhound breeders are asking lawmakers for an override — something we must stop. Let’s make sure greyhound racing ends in New England.

Photograph above taken on the day of the rally by Providence Journal photographer, Glenn Osmundson