Protestors decrying Senate bill gather at casino

WHEELING, W.Va. — Senate Republicans are moving forward with legislation that, if approved, would end state funding for greyhound racing in West Virginia.

Many in the Ohio Valley are upset by the proposal. On Saturday, a large group of greyhound owners and breeders gathered at Wheeling Island Casino and Racetrack to peacefully protest and to weigh in on the bill that would 'decouple' greyhound racing from West Virginia casinos.

"The capital is trying to pass a bill. It is Senate Bill 641, to decouple greyhound racing. They want to separate us from the casino and we are here to show them we are not tucking in our tails and we are going to stay here with our dogs," said Kailey Harris, Kennel Help.

The proposal mandates that over $21 million dollars of state lottery funds, which usually go to subsidize greyhound racing, would go toward the state's general revenue fund instead.

But many who were in attendance for Saturday's protest, including greyhound trainer Patrick Bever, say not so fast.

"If you just do some simple math on basic unemployment and round it down to about $400 dollars per person that will be on unemployment, you're looking at $41 million dollars that the state will have to come up with in unemployment," Bever said.

And those who depend on greyhound racing to make a living are afraid that if the bill is passed, they and their dogs could be left out in the cold.

Lacee Kunik has been working as assistant racing secretary at Wheeling Island Racetrack for 6 years.

"[We're] fighting for all of our jobs here, from employed here at the track, to breeders, to kennel trainers, helpers, owners. Basically it will affect a lot of people so we are trying to save thousands of jobs," Kunik said.

"These dogs will have to sit. I don't know where we go with them, or if the track will allow us to keep them here or what. We will be able to move a few dogs, but as far as most of them, I don't know how that's going to be," said Thomas Ferris, kennel owner.

Harris's group plans to take a bus to the capital in their fight to keep the subsidized funds. She says anyone is welcome to travel to Charleston this Tuesday with the group to protest the bill.