Farm Bill Aims to Ban Greyhound Racing Amid Legislative Debate Washington — Erik Tonge didn’t know his English Setter, Jess, would become a champion when he first brought her home. A chance visit to the dog park sparked her journey into competitive racing. “There was a whippet, a former champion whippet here in Delavan, Wisconsin, and he goes, ‘Boy, your dog is fast. You should try the Fast CAT,’ ” Tonge recalled. “And the first time I took Jess, she was just like a bullet. She just loved it.” Fast CAT (Coursing Ability Test) racing involves dogs chasing a plastic lure over 100 yards, timed for speed. Tonge and Jess have competed nationally, with Jess winning the National Invitational Championship in 2024. “She broke all the lifetime records,” Tonge said. “It’s like a kid in sports, right? You get really excited.” The Farm Bill, currently under consideration in the House, includes a provision to ban commercial greyhound racing, gambling on dog races, and exporting greyhounds for international competitions. However, the legislation faced scrutiny from hunting and dog sport groups, who warned the language could inadvertently outlaw other dog activities, such as Fast CAT racing and training for hunting dogs. To address these concerns, the bill was amended to clarify that the provision targets only greyhound racing, leaving other dog sports and training unaffected. Sheila Goffe, vice president of government relations for the American Kennel Club, praised the amendment, stating, “Our concerns were addressed” and thanking the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for protecting responsible dog ownership and canine sports from “animal extremism.#american_kennel_club #farm_bill #erik_tonge #delavan_wisconsin #fast_cat
