Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Administration [Gaming]
Chapter Game 7 - Greyhound racing
Section Game 7.09 - Rules of the race

(a) All greyhounds shall wear the regulation muzzle and blanket while racing. Following the race, racing blankets shall not be removed until the greyhounds are under visual observation by their trainer or designee.

(b) Before leaving the paddock for the starting box the muzzles and blankets of each greyhound shall be carefully examined and again examined in front of the steward's stand before the stewards and the public, or on video display terminals with prior approval of the stewards. All muzzles and blankets used shall be approved by the division paddock judge.

(c) All greyhounds shall be exhibited in the display area of the paddock before post time of the race in which they are entered.

(d) After the greyhounds leave the paddock on their way to the starting point, and until the race has concluded, all persons except racing officials and necessary attendants shall be excluded from the track.

(e) Prior to the first post time for each performance the lure operator shall test the lure to ensure that the lure is in proper working order. Any problems that would prevent the operation of a consistent lure shall be reported immediately to the stewards.

(a) The greyhounds shall be started from a type of starting box approved by the division and there shall be no start until and no recall after the doors of the starting box have opened. Each starting box shall be equipped with an automatic opener with a manual back-up.

(b) If less than 3 greyhounds finish, the stewards shall declare it "no race" and all wagers and entry fees shall be refunded.

(c) The trainer or designee shall receive the greyhound from the lead-out at the conclusion of each race in which they are responsible for an entry.

(d) No race shall be called official unless the lure is in advance of the greyhounds at all times during the race. If at any time during the race, any greyhound or greyhounds touch or overtake the lure the stewards shall declare it "no race" and all monies wagered shall be refunded.

(e) If a greyhound bolts the course, or runs in the opposite direction during the running of the race, and in so doing, in the opinion of the stewards, interferes with any other greyhound so as to alter the outcome of the race, the stewards may declare it "no race" and all monies wagered shall be refunded.

(f) If a greyhound bolts the course, runs in the opposite direction, or does not run the entire prescribed distance for the race, it shall forfeit all rights in the race, and no matter where it finishes, the stewards shall declare the finish of the race the same as if that greyhound was not a participant. However, that greyhound shall be considered a "starter" for grading purposes.

(g) The stewards at each race meet shall designate individuals who may remove a greyhound from the track when it appears it may interfere with the running of the race. No other person shall enter the track during the running of the race.

(h) If a greyhound refuses to leave the box when the doors of the starting box open at the start, there shall be no refund of monies wagered. Such greyhound shall be considered a starter.

(a) If the stewards determine that an animal, during a race, is fractious, unruly or otherwise runs so as to cause interference to other animals in the race, the stewards may place that animal on the schooling list.

(b) Any greyhound may be placed on the schooling list at the discretion of the stewards at any time. No animal placed on the schooling list shall be permitted to race without schooling back to the satisfaction of the stewards.

(c) When the stewards charge a greyhound for interference in any official race, films shall be made available for viewing by the kennel owner or trainer. Upon written appeal to the stewards of an interference ruling and placement of the greyhound on the schooling list, the stewards may review the film and their decision in the presence of the kennel owner or trainer.

(a) When greyhounds run a dead heat for first place all monies and prizes to which the winner would have been entitled shall be divided equally. Each greyhound shall be deemed a winner.

(b) When greyhounds run a dead heat for second place, they shall divide equally the second place money and whatever additional placing monies are involved in the dead heat.

(c) When greyhounds run a dead heat for third place, they shall divide equally the third place money and whatever additional placing monies are involved in the dead heat.

(d) If the dividing owners cannot agree as to a prize which cannot be divided, the question shall be determined by lot in the presence of the stewards.

(a) All objections as to eligibility of an animal to race shall be made to the stewards in writing and signed by the objector.

(b) Objections to a greyhound engaged in a race shall be made only by the trainer of another greyhound engaged in the same race, or by an racing official.

(c) All objections shall be made within 48 hours after the race is run.

(d) The stewards may impose a forfeiture upon a determination that an objection was made without reasonable basis.

(e) Pending a decision on the objection, any prize or money due any greyhound involved in the objection shall be withheld until the objection is resolved.

(f) In all cases of fraud or willful deception, the time limitation identified in this section shall not apply if the stewards determine the objector could not have reasonably ascertained the basis of the objection within 48 hours.

(g) If an objection is declared valid, the stewards shall determine the new order of finish and the redistribution of all purse monies. The stewards' decision shall not affect the pari-mutuel payoff.