Greyhounds stare outside of their outdoor enclosure at their kennel compound in Wheeling Island, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. Muzzles decorated with each dog’s name ensure the dogs do not accidently harm each other through their corrective group behaviors. Greyhounds’ extremely thin skin combined with only having 2% body fat leaves them very susceptible to injuries.

A greyhound trainer proudly shows off her graphic shirt at Wheeling Island Racetrack, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. She wears this shirt to the track as to poke fun at anti-racers who believe that the trainers frequently abuse their greyhounds.

Greyhounds sprinting during a race at Wheeling Island Racetrack, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. The
specialized anatomy of greyhounds including their large chest and lungs, aerodynamic head and body, low body fat percentage (average of 2%), muscular structure, and double-suspension gait has evolved their overall lung and leg capacity to be able to run and chase.

A woman jumps with excitement during the 2023 Stake’s Race at Wheeling Island Racetrack, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. During this annual race, the dog finishing in first place wins its kennel $65,000.

Greyhounds in the racetrack paddock just moments before their race at Wheeling Island Racetrack, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. Within the paddock area, dogs are weighed in, fitted for their jerseys, and taken to the bathroom.

A trainer sits in the kennel with her greyhound, Jas Strait Aces, and consoles after she had placed last in the annual Stake’s Race at Wheeling Island Racetrack, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. She tells her dog “It was an honor to even qualify into that race, you did good mamas.” Whether a dog has an amazing race or finishes in last place, they are all given the same after-care treatments and rewarded with a piece of a Little Debbie oatmeal cream pie cookie.

A laminated sheet of paper depicting restricted substances at the racetrack is displayed within the paddock at Wheeling Island Racetrack, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. Contrary to popular belief, both racetracks in West Virginia have strict regulations to protect the health and safety of the greyhounds. The posters hung around the inside of the racing paddock serve as reminders that there are serious repercussions for the use of any illegal substance.

A lead out holds out a cup of urine collected from a racing greyhound at Wheeling Island Racetrack, West Virginia, on October 21, 2023. After each race, dogs are randomly selected to partake in a drug test in which urine is collected and tested for performance-enhancing drugs. If any dog tests positive, the kennel is heavily fined.

An unmuzzled greyhound rubs up against the fencing of its outdoor enclosure as visitors walk by the kennel compound in Wheeling Island, West Virginia, on 21, 2023. Greyhounds belong to a category of dog called a sighthound, meaning they are driven by movement and can effectively track prey as they chase after them.

The parallel of the deterioration Greyhound Racing industry can be shown through the surrounding environment as a timeworn shed surrounded by old kennel crates and carpets sit quietly in the corner of the Greyhound Kennel Compound at Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, on November 10, 2023.

Heather Lomax, owner and trainer at Lomax Kennels, uses her bare hand to scoop heaps of dog food from the bathtub it was prepared in at Lomax Kennels in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, on November 3, 2023. Heather is responsible for keeping 72 greyhounds strong and race-ready and provides a mix of food to reach that goal. Contained within the dog food mixture is: raw beef, cooked chicken, cooked pasta, dry kibble, vegetables (carrots, spinach), and bone broth.

Jesse Delafuentes, a kennel helper at Lomax Kennels, and Heather Lomax, an owner and trainer at Lomax Kennels, let dogs out of their kennels to enjoy some time outside. Dogs are let out three times a day to use the bathroom, drink water, and enjoy the sun.

A glass block with an image of Clydesdale, a retired greyhound racer with Lomax Kennels sits on a shelf next to the urn in which his ashes are contained at Heather’s house in Poca, West Virginia, on November 27, 2023. Clydesdale was taken in by Heather herself after his retirement from racing.

Linguine, 3, walks alone to Stacey’s room to settle in for a nap in Rockbridge, Ohio, on November 3, 2023. Stacey McKnight, Linguine’s foster mom, explains that because of Linguine’s racing background, she was “worried about him being in [her] small one- bedroom apartment but the adoption officials told [her] that he would love it because they feel more comfortable in a smaller area since that’s what he’s used to.”

Candy, a retired racer turned brood mom, lays with her 2-week-old puppies at Lomax Farms in Poca, West Virginia, on November 27, 2023. Candy was a successful racer and is now helping to create the next generation of greyhound racers.