Welfare groups launch campaign to change minds, amend laws and do away with greyhound tracks

Two animal welfare groups are trying to bring about the end of greyhound racing, which has been declining for years, with an aggressive effort to change laws and public opinion in the states where dogs still race.

GREY2K USA and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believe racing is cruel and are embarking on a broad-based lobbying effort. The centerpiece is a study that documents more than 11,000 injuries to racing greyhounds and 909 deaths from 2008 to 2014.

The groups plan to unveil the study Wednesday and then barnstorm through the seven states that allow racing.

Gary Guccione, executive director of the National Greyhound Association, says it's unfair to characterize greyhound racing as cruel. He says the groups distort data to further their agenda.