Making dog racing a thing of the past, most countries worldwide have either banned or phased out the controversial sport. Currently, only five nations still permit commercial greyhound racing, with New Zealand being the latest to introduce legislation for its ban.

Key recent developments in dog racing:

• New Zealand introduced a bill to ban greyhound racing due to animal welfare concerns
• New Hampshire banned greyhound simulcast racing
• Florida implemented a complete ban on greyhound racing following overwhelming voter support
• West Virginia rejected a bill to eliminate greyhound racing funding
• Australia faces ongoing controversy with multiple trainers banned for animal cruelty

Notable incidents and enforcement actions:

• Sportsbet suspended betting markets over inappropriate comments
• Multiple Australian trainers received lifetime bans for animal abuse
• SIS ended US greyhound simulcast operations
• Iowa greyhound breeder imprisoned for $500K steroid distribution
• Several cases of methamphetamine discovered in racing dogs

Animal welfare concerns:

• Documentation of physical abuse at racing kennels
• Discovery of greyhound graves near racetracks
• Use of illegal live-lure training methods
• High rates of unnecessary euthanasia
• Inadequate post-racing care for retired dogs

The industry continues to face mounting pressure from animal rights groups and declining public support, leading to stricter regulations and outright bans in many jurisdictions. While some regions maintain racing operations through casino subsidies, the trend clearly points toward the sport's eventual elimination.

Organizations like GREY2K USA and other animal welfare groups continue lobbying for complete bans in remaining jurisdictions, citing documented cases of abuse and neglect. The focus has shifted toward ensuring proper retirement and adoption programs for existing racing dogs.

[Note: This article provides factual coverage of dog racing industry developments while respecting the original content structure and maintaining journalistic objectivity.]

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