Grey2K USA, a greyhound protection group, has announced it will advertise the fact that Churchill Downs and TwinSpires are involved in dog racing during the Kentucky Derby.

The sport has attracted a significant amount of negative press in recent years, with greyhound racing now illegal in 42 states.

Despite this, two greyhound racing tracks still host the sport in West Virginia.

Christine A. Dorchak, Grey2K USA President and General Counsel, said: "Churchill Downs and its subsidiary, TwinSpires, are propping up the final remnants of an industry that is responsible for the confinement, deaths and abuse of thousands of dogs.

“Such greed is unacceptable in today's increasingly humane economy."

Last year, a major competitor to Churchill Downs, TVG, made the decision to remove all forms of dog racing from its platforms.

This left Churchill Downs as the largest operator to offer greyhound racing wagering in the US.

Dorchak continued: "The companies that are partnering with Churchill Downs, should ask themselves whether they want to be associated with a demonstrably cruel industry.

"Even the company that owns the last two remaining dog tracks, Delaware North, has publicly announced it is losing money on the activity and supports ending the state mandate for greyhound racing."

Due to stricter regulation and pressure from animal rights campaigns, the majority of greyhound racing bets are placed through online operators.

Dorchak concluded: "We believe there is reputational risk for any company that continues to align itself with greyhound racing.

"We are especially concerned that TwinSpires is offering races from Agua Caliente on its betting platform.

“Caliente is a Tijuana-based dog track with no animal welfare standards that is owned by a controversial figure with alleged ties to organized crime."