WHEELING — A majority of West Virginians want greyhound racing eliminated and oppose the $15 million in subsidies the industry receives from the state, according to a survey commissioned by an anti-greyhound racing group.

The survey sanctioned by Grey2K USA Worldwide was conducted by pollster Mark Blankenship and Mark Blankenship Enterprises from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. It polled the opinions of 403 people registered to vote in West Virginia and likely to vote during the 2020 elections.

Among the questions asked on the survey was “Do you generally support or oppose the state government spending between $13 million and $15 million a year in gambling revenue to subsidize commercial greyhound breeding for racing at two casinos in West Virginia?”

Fifty-seven percent said they strongly oppose the money going to breeders, with 22 percent saying they somewhat oppose, 10 percent somewhat support and 6 percent strongly support.

Two greyhound race tracks are located in West Virginia, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack in Wheeling and Tri-State Greyhound Park in Cross Lanes.

The Legislature in 2017 passed bill to cease the funding to breeders, but the legislation was vetoed by Gov. Jim Justice.

Under state laws pertaining to video lottery at race tracks, casinos with dog tracks are required to send 1.5 percent of video lottery revenue collected to a special account established by the West Virginia Racing Commission known as the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund. The state then distributes money from the fund back to breeders, which most years is about $15 million.

Blankenship provided additional results of the poll pertaining to Northern Panhandle, but could not determine the number of respondents contacted in those counties.

Northern Panhandle results show 41 percent saying they “strongly oppose” money going to the dog racing industry. Another 17 percent said they “somewhat oppose;” 27 percent “somewhat support;” and 10 percent “strongly support.”

Senate Majority Whip Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, questions the use of the word “subsidize” in the survey and said the language misled voters. He also believes the poll exemplifies an intensified effort by greyhound racing opponents to pass legislation eliminating the industry during the next regular legislative that begins in January.

“If you ask any question in that form, you would expect people would say ‘we shouldn’t give them a subsidy,'” Weld said. “But we’re not talking about a subsidy. That’s a misnomer. The casino just has to send the money to the state before it comes back to the track.

“If you are not from an area with a track and this doesn’t affect you, you’re obviously in favor of ending what you think to be a subsidy. They’re asking a misleading question and these are obviously skewed numbers.”

He said it is frustrating for legislators who have to explain the money that comes back to local breeders isn’t a subsidy.

It has been estimated that 1,700 people are employed in the dog racing industry in West Virginia. A second question asked respondents if they were more likely to support dog racing in West Virginia based on the jobs.

Fifty-seven percent said it made no difference to them, while 27 percent said they were somewhat more likely to support and another 9 percent said they were much more likely to support.

In the Northern Panhandle, 24 percent said they were much more likely to support dog racing and 18 percent said they were somewhat more likely to support.”

A 55 percent majority in the Northern Panhandle indicated the job numbers made no difference to them, according to the survey.

“We’re talking about people’s jobs here. People who work at the kennels in Beech Bottom,” Weld said. “Policies in Charleston have a real effect. That’s something I don’t think people are thinking about when we talk about this. Someone’s fear of losing their job is very real, and that is what we are fighting against.”

Weld believes the survey is being used by greyhound racing opponents as the 2020 legislative session approaches. Senate President Mitch Carmichael already has indicated he will push the issue of stopping the practice of sending the money to dog breeders.

Carey Theil, executive director of Grey2K US, defended the organization’s use of the word subsidy. He pointed to the definition of subsidy, which is “a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive.”

“I agree state law allows money from one form of gambling be used to subsidize greyhound racing,” he said. “I understand why greyhound racing supporters don’t want to use the word — but it is what it is. It’s an argument you make when you can’t debate the issue.”

Grey2K wasn’t surprised by the findings, but was surprised by the high number of people indicating they were opposed to the funding for the dog breeding industry in West Virginia, Theil said.

The group, however, didn’t expect the amount of opposition shown in the Northern Panhandle.

“It’s an indication, we are in a new environment on the issue,” Theil said. “The fundamental problem is the industry is out of touch with where the public is.”

He said it’s time for Weld, Sen. William Ihlenfeld, D-Ohio, Delegate Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, and Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio to “negotiate a phase out (of greyhound racing) with us.”

“It would make sense for it to be a phase out, then there could be provisions for job training and re-training of workers,” he said.

Not likely, according to Fluharty.

“Grey2K put together a propaganda filled press release disguised as a poll in order to influence votes of legislators,” he said. “They’ve also hired lobbyists to help spread their lies.”

Fluharty said he plans to a bipartisan approach to a solution with Storch.

“The facts are this industry is responsible for thousands of jobs and millions in revenue. That’s backed up by an economic study from (West Virginia University,)” he said. “Now an out-of-state radical animal rights group is aiming to discredit our flagship university and our people by buying votes in the legislature.”