Jim Rosica
Florida voters will decide whether to outlaw greyhound racing under a proposed constitutional amendment approved Monday.
The proposal (P6012) was passed by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) on a 27-10 vote; it needed at least 22 votes.
It will go directly to November’s statewide ballot, where it needs at least 60 percent approval to be added to the constitution.
Commissioner Tom Lee, the amendment’s sponsor, tweeted: “My proposal to end dog racing just passed the @FloridaCRC! The amendment will now appear on the November ballot and voters will decide whether our state ends this archaic tradition.”
The measure goes into effect Dec. 31, 2020, if passed, and bans dog racing itself and betting on dog races. It doesn’t, however, affect any other gambling now going on at dog tracks, such as card games.
Lee, a Republican state Senator from Thonotosassa and possible candidate for state CFO this year, left the fiery rhetoric to Attorney General Pam Bondi, an ex officio member of the CRC.
Bondi, a Tampa Republican, regularly brings shelter dogs to state Cabinet meetings to get them adopted.
“This is a black eye on our state,” Bondi said in an often emotional speech on the floor of the Senate, where the commission meets.
She recited a litany of alleged incidents of abused racing dogs, showing photos. Bondi said 419 greyhounds have tested positive for illegal drugs, including cocaine, over the last decade.
“The entire country is watching us,” she said. Dog racing “is cruel and inhumane (and) horrible … This is not who we are as a state.”
Commissioner Chris Smith, a former Senate Democratic leader, asked whether banning racing would be an unconstitutional ‘taking’ of private property.
Former Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and former appellate judge Paul Hawkes, who represent the Florida Greyhound Association (FGA), have said the amendment’s passage would subject the state to lawsuits worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
“It is not a taking,” Bondi answered bluntly. As to to the hundreds of dogs that could be out of work, she added: “These dogs will be spoken for … if I have to take 1,000 of them, I will.”
Smith later brought up a much-maligned ‘pregnant pigs’ amendment, as another example of what not to put in the state constitution: “This is why we have a Legislature,” he said. “Let’s not ‘one up’ the pigs by adding dogs.”
He was backed up by Commissioner Arthenia Joyner, another former Senate Democratic leader, who said dog racing “is how people make their living.” As one person told her, “Close this down and you close me down.”
“We’re seeking to take away an opportunity from hard working people,” Joyner added, saying the Legislature should provide a solution.
But Commissioner Don Gaetz, a Republican and former Senate President, countered the Legislature could deal with it, but hasn’t and won’t. The issue is too fraught with peril because it implicates the state’s gambling laws, he said. Gaetz co-sponsored the proposal.
“The industry won’t reform itself,” he added, mentioning “reasonable” past attempts to regulate dog racing. “Let the people of Florida decide whether to continue this as part of our culture.”
Updated 7 p.m. — Carey M. Theil, executive director of GREY2K USA Worldwide, emailed the following statement:
“… This is a major victory for everyone in the state who cares about dogs. Commercial greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane. Every three days, a greyhound dies at a Florida dog track. Greyhounds endure lives of confinement, and many suffer serious injuries. Over the past decade, there have been more than 400 greyhound drug positives in Florida including dogs that tested positive for cocaine, opiates, and other serious drugs.
“The animal protection community is united in its support for this humane proposal. We are prepared to run a formidable campaign, and are confident Floridians will vote ‘yes’ for the dogs this November.”
93 comments
Andy
April 16, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Crooked as they come, Pam Bondi talking about drugs that has been disproven by VETS, liars just like Grey2k. No doubt others were paid off too as we lost 4 votes. Disgraceful. Hopefully this atrocity will be reversed by the courts.
ML
April 16, 2018 at 11:32 pm
Time for you to learn a different trade, Andy.
Docwho
April 17, 2018 at 9:15 am
This is a disgrace that this goes to a constitutional amendment. I will be voting no due this, but would not have said anythinig if going through legislature.
I also am leery about the abuse. The park near me supports local groups.
Not everyone against this measure works in the trade.
Dan Hetland
April 17, 2018 at 12:01 am
It’s really a shame that those for continued racing at Florida’s Greyhound Tracks can claim everyone else must be cheats and liars and that only they are capable of being honest and forthright. One might step back and consider the overall character of these so-called “supporters,” and wonder how anyone for the continuation of the exploitation of animals dying and suffering devastating injuries at such overwhelming rates as those at Florida’s Greyhound Racing Tracks. Being an animal advocate, I have to question how anyone can standby and ignore the plight of any animal suffering, whether willfully or in ignorance. Hopefully, in November, the voters in Florida will end this suffering once and for all.
Usual Suspects
April 17, 2018 at 10:56 am
If legislators really gave a damn about animals, they wouldn’t have almost put puppy mills back in business this year, and they’d fund spay and neuter programs, and make animal birth control absolutely mandatory. This proposal is about the expansion of casinos, plains and simple. Any lawmaker who really cares about animals should do something about the hundreds of thousands of animals destroyed in county shelters annually. Not to mention the others suffering gruesome fates on the street, or at the hands of abusers. Hypocrisy at its worst.
steven grabarczyk
April 20, 2018 at 7:41 pm
Hey Dan what about Christine Dorchak of Grey2k????? Maybe YOU should step back and see you support a liar -Grey2k was founded by Christine Dorchak – FACT
-In 1992 she either purposely or accidentally was hit by a train in Boston FACT – from court docs
-She subsequently tried to sue the MBTA(operator of the train) in 1994 and the jury found against her – FACT court docs
-In sworn court testimony, she testifies that she has no memory of that day or the accident – FACT court docs
-In 2001 She put out a video with graphic details of the accident, a promo piece if you will for Grey2k to get people to donate – FACT
-If you Google Ms. Dorchaks name, you will find hundreds if interviews about the accident – FACT
-If she testified UNDER OATH that she had no memory, where do the stories of the accident come from?
-In court testimony there were no witness mentions, though she says a lady in a nearby building heard the crash and came to check on her, plus she stated she had no memory of that day. FACT
-She claims there were two speeding trains, court docs show one train at 10-15 MPH and slowing down at the platform where she was hit. FACT from court docs
-Her and her husband Carey Theil sent an email to their follower base in 2007 pointing once AGAIN to her made up accident story in the Christian Science Monitor, and at the end they write and I quote “Please read Christine’s story, and consider making a contribution to GREY2K USA’s continuing efforts to shut down dog tracks nationwide. Every dollar counts in our fight to end the cruelty of commercial dog racing, so please be as generous as you can. We can’t do it without you!”. Seems to me that LYING for donation money especially when those two basically live off of donations is FRAUD.
Albert O'Toole
April 20, 2018 at 9:39 pm
You are right on the ball, Steven.
I just did a google search on the court documents of that case.
Perfection, bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My girlfriend worked for those filthy scums of the earth bastards.
She’s got audio and video of them and out 7 others laughing their asses off about how they are making great amounts of cash for themselves. What a bunch of “SCAM ARTISTS”.
They suckered the hell out those ding dongs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fred Barton
April 21, 2018 at 9:54 am
Someone should Google non sequitur.
Sam
April 23, 2018 at 5:05 pm
you one of the scammers that got sued in MA and lost, filed bankruptcy and changed the name, sorry you have no credibility working with Greed2K, your group admitted to fraud and lies in 2002 to advance your agenda
Fred Barton
April 23, 2018 at 9:28 pm
Obviously, you didn’t take my advice.
Shea
April 17, 2018 at 6:58 am
Will not pass.
SBG
April 17, 2018 at 10:38 am
Just wondering what the State of Florida is going to offer to do about all of the thousands of people employed by these tracks when they become UNEMPLOYED! As usual, the MILLIONAIRES running our state do not care about hard working people that need to feed and house their families. I know the dogs at our track are treated very well, they are well loved and cared for everyday. How about some GUN control! How about saving the lives of our children! How about let’s focus on that! You don’t want to do that because you wouldn’t get those NRA contributions anymore! Talk about abuse!
Cynthia
April 17, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Tell them Walmart is hiring….
Gerard J Timmons
April 18, 2018 at 3:54 am
Good post, There’s plenty of other racing going on plus card rooms and some have casino’s, let’s protect these precious animals, please
MV
April 17, 2018 at 3:09 pm
First off PETA and Grey2K are groups that could care less about animals and (any) type of animal racing. The lies are similar to the corrupt politics system we have in place. IF they can eliminate Dog racing….then why not eliminate ALL gambling and racing???…I LOVE horse racing…but what is fair is fair…..Horse racing then should be eliminated as well!!!
Lets see how fast they close dog racing “IF” the tracks could not stay open as well to host non stop poker tournaments????–simply embarrassing…
Gerard J Timmons
April 18, 2018 at 3:58 am
Talk about bullcrap, your post is loaded with it !
Plenty of betting thru simulcasting from horse tracks, jai alai, card room at existing tracks, etc. – Greyhounds do love to run but not on a wreckless oval where they suffer numerous injuries you never hear about
Robert
April 19, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Horse racing has a higher injury and fatality rate than greyhound racing does. You have two types of pari-mutuel activity, both involving racing domestic animals. Why are they targeting only one?
Albert O'Toole
April 20, 2018 at 1:42 am
AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fred Barton
April 20, 2018 at 10:54 am
I thin I can answer that. Grey2K is focusing on greyhound racing because we are a greyhound rescue group. Groups like CANTER, Thoroughbred Adoption Network, ReRun and others focus on race horses because they are race horse rescue groups. See how that works Albert?
Catherine White
April 22, 2018 at 3:02 pm
No Fred Barton Grey2K is NOT a Rescue Group. You rescue ZERO greyhounds – you don’t even give money to help the get to adoption groups. I’ve seen your financial statements and the bulk of the money given goes to support your high flying lifestyles and grafting politicians.
Fred Barton
April 22, 2018 at 9:30 pm
I never said Grey2K was a rescue group. I said I volunteer with two rescue groups. Grey2K is an advocacy group that supports efforts to end greyhound racing around the world.
Sam
April 23, 2018 at 5:09 pm
another lie from Fred Barton see his previous post,” because we are a greyhound rescue group. then in his next post he says they are not a rescue group see below”I never said Grey2K was a rescue group.” tells so many lies he cant keep them straight, He is a FRAUD
Fred Barton
April 23, 2018 at 9:27 pm
You are correct. I wrote that wrong. I meant to say that Grey2K is an advocacy group that supports many anti-racing activities, including rescue, but I wrote it poorly. This one’s on me.
Dave McPhee
April 17, 2018 at 3:46 pm
The vast majority of jobs expected to be lost are minimum wage, with many of them being split shift and part time. Florida is currently experiencing low unemployment and high employment demand. The impact to the economy will be minimal. Lost jobs are a false argument. You have an almost two year notice to find something else. It was going to come sooner or later, and most of us have been through it already. Did you think the coupling law was going to protect your jobs forever?
Andy
April 17, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Wait until Florida has to Shell out hundreds of millions of dollars
Gerard J Timmons
April 18, 2018 at 3:59 am
Agree 100%
Fred Barton
April 17, 2018 at 3:59 pm
This is a historical day for greyhounds trapped in racing gulags all across Florida. These are dogs that have lived lives of confinement, and suffered serious needless injuries. Now they are only a step away from freedom. Vote yes to save greyhounds this November.
Helen
April 19, 2018 at 9:39 pm
Not going to happen, Fred. This will likely be tossed by the courts long before November.
Fred Barton
April 20, 2018 at 7:38 am
No one knows the future, Helen, but I can tell you this: Were going to work as hard as we can to educate the voters about the plight of innocent greyhounds trapped in racing gulags all over the state (and the world) and you’re going to continue to call us names and make stuff up. We’ll see how that turns out.
Helen
April 20, 2018 at 11:02 pm
Well Fred, the owners and BM’s of G2K ate proven frauds and liars. Florida residents will be made aware of that for sure.
Fred Barton
April 21, 2018 at 7:16 am
Like I said: We’re going to work to educate the voters to the plight of racing greyhounds, You’re going to call us names.
Albert O'Toole
April 21, 2018 at 4:32 pm
From what I’m hearing, grey2K IS DOOMED, BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
90% of the donations have gone into their pockets.
Myself and my family donate only to legitimate greyhound adoptions. Not greyhound killers and lying, scamming thieves!!!!!!!!!
Fred Barton
April 22, 2018 at 9:41 am
I know there’s such a thing as wishful thinking. Maybe there’s wishful hearing as well.
Albert O'Toole
April 23, 2018 at 8:07 am
Andy
April 17, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Of course, fat Freddy again, you haven’t won yet. If the courts don’t stop it the voters will. ‘ Gulags’ huh, more deceit and flat out lies. Your fraudulent crowd can’t buy off the voters like you and casino interests have the politicians
Fred Barton
April 17, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Think about this Andy boy: if we had bought off the politicians like you say, wouldn’t we have passed a ban a long time ago?
And by the way, It’s Freddy the Fraud. Keep your nicknames straight.
Helen
April 19, 2018 at 9:41 pm
From what I’ve heard, it’s Freddy the Unemployed Alcoholic Fraud. Did you abuse too many of your students?
Fred Barton
April 20, 2018 at 7:36 am
You heard wrong Andy, boy, but then it’s much easier to believe your delusions that face reality, right? Sort of like what you are doing with racing huh?
J King
April 17, 2018 at 6:30 pm
I care about the people and their livelihood, but
Greyhound racing is cruel. These dogs are abused by being caged and dying for peoples amusement. That is just sad. Dog’s are not meant to race and there is no justification for Greyhound racing in our society today.
Brian
April 18, 2018 at 8:51 am
JKing – go to a farm. See it for yourself.
Dont believe the hype.
3000 jobs gone. 1.2 Billion in tax revenue gone.
Bad deal for Florida.
Fred Barton
April 18, 2018 at 11:02 am
Your concerns are legitimate, Brian, but there is ample precedent for shutting down racing in a humane and efficient manner. It has been done in Massachusetts, Colorado, Iowa, Arizona and Wisconsin and in each case both the people and the dogs have been protected. In Iowa for instance money was provided to retrain workers. In Wisconsin the state stepped in to ensure the safety of the dogs leaving the track. There’s no reason to think Florida would be any different.
The 3000 jobs figure that JKing cites is probably overstated somewhat, and in any event most of the jobs are low wage, part time, no benefits. In many cases those workers are simply absorbed into other aspects of the gambling industry.
I have no idea where the 1.2 billion in tax revenue came from, especially since the total amount wagered on greyhound racing in the entire country in 2014 was 750 million, and it has been trending down for over 10 years. Additionally, it cost the state of Florida about 3.3 million more to regulate the industry last year than it produced in revenue.
Sam
April 23, 2018 at 5:14 pm
another Lie from freddie the FRAUD, you didnt close down tracks in Wisconsin or Iowa, Iowa still has racing, and Wisconsin closed because of lack of interest, go tell your lies else where looks like this page is on to your scams that 3 lies in 5 post
Fred Barton
April 23, 2018 at 9:24 pm
“…Wisconsin closed because of lack of interest…” Thank you for helping me make my point. It’s true that one track is left in Iowa because the casinos gave the industry a bunch of money to go away and they decided to blow it on running a track themselves. Their sweetheart lease deal is up this year. We’ll see how long they last when they have to run the whole show on their dime.
Albert O'Toole
April 18, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Have you ever been to a greyhound farm, or to a race kennel. What they are telling you is a bunch of B S. I went to Florida for 2 months with a friend who owns greyhounds. Those dogs are cared for like kings and queens. If a dog sustains an injury, it is treated with body rubs with liniments, whirlpools and antibiotics, vitamins and vitamin supplements. They are given treats like beef basted pig ears, milk bones. My friend and I slept in the kennel because one of his greyhounds needed an antibiotic every 4 hours because she broke a toenail. So instead of driving back and forth from the hotel we were booked into, we told the owner of the kennel we would sleep in the car rental just outside the kennel and slip quietly into the kennel and give her the antibiotics as needed. The trainer of the kennel to her off from racing for the next 3 weeks and then slowly worked her back into conditioning. We instead slept in the kennel in 2 empty crates. The greyhounds have plenty of room to turn around and relax with ease. We slept in 2 bottom crates and left the crate doors open because we are both well over 6 foot tall. Not a problem at all. They sleep on padded carpets and some of them sleep on their backs. Just as we humans do, the greyhounds do the same. The exact same way a professional athletic trainer cares for a football, baseball, basketball, or hockey player, is the same way his greyhounds are cared for. Hell, I wish I had someone to rub me down and put me on a good diet the way they are. I would be at the top of my game and fit as hell. lol When my times comes, I pray to God to bring me back as a greyhound. Magnificent animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They love on you and love to be handled and combed and rubbed. His greyhounds are cared for as though they are Gods of the universe!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!!They love to run!!!!!!!!!! There’s no doubt about that. His greyhounds are so happy that they actually smile at you. I swear, I have never seen such well cared for animals in my entire life. And my parents own a Collie, a German Shepard, and a Great Dane. And they get plenty of TLC. If they got the type of TLC I witnessed in the kennel they would melt. So, what I’m trying to say is, don’t believe what those Yo Yo’s, PETA, grey2K and whoever else are saying. They are probably taking your sorrows, pity and donations and living high on the hog. My girlfriend recently quit her job at grey2K because she witnessed some extremely cruel behavior on their part. Euthanasia of over 300 greyhounds that were not injured whatsoever. They were suppose to find homes for them. Instead they killed 300 of the 400 plus greyhounds in their care. NOW THAT IS SICKENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT IS CRUELTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT MAKES ME DAMN ANGRY AND MAD AS HELL.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will never trust those people. Not even with a bunny rabbit. My girlfriend has grey2K on hidden video and audio. How do you save animals by killing them. THAT, IN MY MIND, HEART, AND SOUL, IS TOTALLY DISGUSTING AND PITIFUL.
Dianna Brendle
April 18, 2018 at 7:44 pm
What happens to the dogs when they are no longer able to run or win? Are those dogs treated that good?
Lori Bruce
April 20, 2018 at 9:24 am
Dianna, the racing owners, kennels work with greyhound adoption groups across the US and Canada to place those dogs in loving homes. Retired racers make wonderful pets!
Fred Barton
April 20, 2018 at 10:51 am
Dianna, what Lori says is true, up to a point. As knowledge of what happened to perfectly healthy greyhounds who didn’t finish in the money grew among the public, the industry was forced to take adoption seriously. Now they are trying to make a virtue out of necessity. There are more adoption programs now than in years past, but the industry is still not above using greyhounds as hostages. For example, adoption groups that have an anti-racing stance are being denied greyhounds. I know this because I volunteer with two that have been told the dogs will not come to us until we alter our position. That should tell you all you need to know about how genuine the industry’s concern for the dogs is. Lori is right about one other thing though: they do make “greyt” pets.
Lori Bruce
April 20, 2018 at 11:32 am
What Fred has failed to tell you is that greyhound adoption was initially started by the greyhound industry many years ago. As for what he says about adoption groups being denied dogs if they are anti racing, I don’t know whether it’s true or not. However, I have heard that in some places, there are more people looking to adopt than there are available dogs. If I was deciding which groups to give dogs to, I’d definitely give them to the people who wanted to work with me rather than people who would take the dogs and then fill the adopters’ heads with outdated information and propaganda about how abused their dogs were. Some of the comments I’ve heard and read make me shake my head. I actually saw a comment from someone who said their friend’s greyhound was too scared to go out in the rain because it had never seen rain before.
Fred Barton
April 20, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Like I said, making a virtue of necessity. I am a Board member of Grey2K USA and when we tried to develop a consolidated list of adoption groups on our web page we were told by many groups that even a little as being listed on our page was enough to get them black listed by the industry regardless of their position on racing.
Lori Bruce
April 20, 2018 at 11:34 am
What Fred has failed to tell you is that greyhound adoption was initially started by the greyhound industry many years ago. As for what he says about adoption groups being denied dogs if they are anti racing, I don’t know whether it’s true or not. However, I have heard that in some places, there are more people looking to adopt than there are available dogs. If I was deciding which groups to give dogs to, I’d definitely give them to the people who wanted to work with me rather than people who would take the dogs and then fill the adopters’ heads with outdated information and propaganda about how abused their dogs were. Some of the comments I’ve heard and read make me shake my head. I actually saw a comment from someone who said their friend’s greyhound was too scared to go out in the rain because it had never seen rain before.
Andy
April 20, 2018 at 5:52 pm
Please make the video and audio available to the FGA, even more proof that they are frauds and liars. As for you fat fraud alcoholic Freddy, the dogs in Mass were adopted out huh, which your fraud organization spent not one penny on, you will do the same in Florida, a special place in hell for you. Tell you what, if this is on the ballot come November, I will meet you anywhere in Florida, we both have notarized statements where no charges will be brought, and we will settle this like men, but of course you won’t, because you aren’t a man, you a coward like stiel.
Albert O'Toole
April 20, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Hey Andy,
Who is fat fraud alcoholic Freddy?
I heard someone mention that name several months ago on a blog.
Fred Barton
April 21, 2018 at 7:15 am
That would be me. I am a Board member of GREY2K USA Worldwide, an organization that fights to save these marvelous creatures all over the globe. (you can learn more about us here: http://www.grey2kusa.org.) I have fostered and adopted rescued racing greyhounds since 1995. You can see why they don’t like me.
Fred Barton
April 21, 2018 at 10:03 am
Not sure what that would “settle” as the proposal would remain on the ballot regardless of the outcome. Tell you what I will do though, if the measure passes, send me your resume and I will pay to have it looked at by a professional placement firm.
Albert O'Toole
April 17, 2018 at 9:27 pm
Let me tell you phoney ass advocates something. My girlfriend just quit her job working for those scum sucking Y2K low lifes. Do all off you know that the Y2K scumbags recently took in 450 plus greyhounds that were all healthy and just needed to go for adoption. So what do the Y2K SCUMS OF THE EARTH DO? They intentionally had more than 300 of the greyhounds euthanized!!!!!!!!!!!! And that’s a cold hard FACT. My girlfriend has the hidden video along with the hidden audio as proof that that Y2K are a bunch of f_cking liars. They have also sold greyhounds to China for them to race, and we all know how they treat greyhounds. And when they greyhounds are done over in their country, the kill them and eat them as a delicacy. That also is a strong well known fact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Y2K contacted me for a donation. I told them to go F_CK themselves after what my girlfriend told me the scams they are pulling. She said that they advertise for donations and the don’t even use half of the donations to put towards the greyhounds health and well being. They prefer to just euthanize them. She showed me pictures that the scamming scums of the earth Y2K liars taking pictures and videos of greyhounds in Spain and then presenting those exact same pics and videos stating that those pics and videos were shot here in the United States. If you think about it, there are bad eggs in every line of work. There are bad and crooked doctors, lawyers, senators, congressmen and congresswoman, business managers, store managers, and the list goes on and on and on. Those greyhounds that test positive for drugs are testing positive because of the trainers that are smoking and snorting that crap. They handle the greyhounds and that’s how they end up testing positive. Ask any veterinarian and they will tell you that it is definitely possible for that to happen. What the state should do is test any and everyone connected to the greyhounds. That includes the leadouts at the tracks that parade them to the starting box, all persons working in the kennels that handle the greyhounds, and start mandatory testing all greyhounds and not random testing them. Make all the kennel owners split the cost of the drug tests. And those that do get caught pulling that S_IT, banish their butts from the sport. And send their butts off to prison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO IFS AND OR BUTTS ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A simple cure to the problem. The owners of the greyhounds should be held responsible for the upkeep of their greyhounds along with the kennel owners who house and feed the greyhounds. The state needs to have surprise kennel inspections at any given time. Day or night, that way they can find anything that doesn’t seem right and legal. And levy harsh fines against them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s how you fix the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Albert O'Toole
April 17, 2018 at 10:19 pm
Please excuse the spelling errors in my previous comment. I had my eyes dilated earlier today and eyes are getting clearer by the hour. I said Y2K when I meant grey2K. Sorry!!!!!!
So here we go again!!!!!!!!!
Let me tell you phoney ass advocates something. My girlfriend just quit her job working for those scum sucking grey2K low lifes. Do all of you know that the grey2K scumbags recently took in 450 plus greyhounds that were all healthy and just needed to go for adoption. So what do the grey2K SCUMS OF THE EARTH DO? They intentionally had more than 300 of the greyhounds euthanized!!!!!!!!!!!! And that’s a cold hard FACT. My girlfriend has the hidden video along with the hidden audio as proof that the grey2K are a bunch of f_cking liars. They have also sold greyhounds to China for them to race, and we all know how they treat greyhounds. And when the greyhounds are done racing over in their country, the kill them and eat them as a delicacy. That also is a strong well known fact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grey2K contacted me for a donation. I told them to go F_CK themselves after what my girlfriend told me the scams they are pulling. She said that they advertise for donations and then don’t even use half of the donations to put towards the greyhounds health and well being. They prefer to just euthanize them. She showed me pictures that the scamming scums of the earth grey2K liars taking pictures and videos of greyhounds in Spain and then presenting those exact same pics and videos stating that those pics and videos were shot here in the United States. If you think about it, there are bad eggs in every line of work. There are bad and crooked doctors, lawyers, senators, congressmen and congresswoman, business managers, store managers, and the list goes on and on and on. Those greyhounds that test positive for drugs are testing positive because of the trainers that are smoking and snorting that crap. They handle the greyhounds and that’s how they end up testing positive. Ask any veterinarian and they will tell you that it is definitely possible for that to happen. What the state should do is test any and everyone connected to the greyhounds. That includes the leadouts at the tracks that parade them to the starting box, all persons working in the kennels that handle the greyhounds, and start mandatory testing all greyhounds and not random testing them. Make all the kennel owners split the cost of the drug tests. And those that do get caught pulling that S_IT, banish their butts from the sport. And send their butts off to prison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO IFS AND OR BUTTS ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A simple cure to the problem. The owners of the greyhounds should be held responsible for the upkeep of their greyhounds along with the kennel owners who house and feed the greyhounds. The state needs to have surprise kennel inspections at any given time. Day or night, that way they can find anything that doesn’t seem right and legal. And levy harsh fines against them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s how you fix the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just think about how many people at those race tracks will be out of jobs.
Helen
April 19, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Considering the seedy background of Grey2k owners and board members, this doesn’t surprise me at all. That, and their affiliation with the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), which is a domestic terrorist organization
Bill J.
April 18, 2018 at 12:47 am
I understand both sides. Dog racing has improved over the years. I visit Florida for betting on dogs and is the leading state of greyhound racing. If Florida does approve the law, off-track bettors and visitors could spend their money some where else including in another state where their is greyhound racing. How much does greyhound racing add to the Florida economy???
Fred Barton
April 18, 2018 at 7:57 am
I agree that dog racing has improved over the years, but only because of public pressure. And yet dogs still are abused injured and killed in the pursuit of profit. That will never change. The only way to effectively help the dogs is to free them from the racing gulags. As to your question of what racing adds to the Florida economy: short answer nothing. Ir costs the state over $3 million more to regulate it than it brings in, and most tracks also lose money. Palm Beach alone lost $3 million propping up racing just last year.
Angie
April 18, 2018 at 5:28 pm
My friend is a lead-out at Palm Beach Kennel Club and told me that on Sunday in the 2nd race, a dog fell and was laying on the track squirming around, rolling over in excruciating pain, trying to get on his feet, but couldn’t. He said it was disgusting having to watch the poor dog try everything he had within himself to get up, and finally after a while, he made it to his feet but couldn’t walk. A lead-out had to go and pick up the dog and take him off, most likely to never run again with what seemed to be a broken leg! What will happen to him? Let’s see if he ever runs again…his name is Atascocita X. Do you think he would have broken his leg just running in a field, not “forced” to run with 7 other dogs on an oval track? What really pisses me off, is that the track will not show replays of when dogs fall or get hurt. Go to the PBKC site, and look up the 2nd race on 4/15 and see what you come up with. “There is no video for race #2.” What are they trying to hide? My friend has only been working there for a little while, but is contemplating quitting the job after seeing for the first time and how the poor dog suffered. My mom used to go to the track for years, and has told me horror stories of what she’s seen in some races. One dog falling and running hard the opposite way with 7 other dogs running 35-40 mph toward him, with a head-on collision a serious possibility. Trainers killing dogs who are no longer productive enough to make them money(not to mention any names, but he used to run dogs at PB and the kennel name begins with an “H” and has 5 letters). Those of you in the industry know exactly who I am talking about)!!! Dogs getting electrocuted by the lure…I could go on and on. Regardless of jobs, taxes, revenue, what have you….the fact that one dog has to suffer from a broken leg, spine, etc is enough to make me vote YES against this using of animals for profit! Sure they were born to run, so let them all run to their hearts content in a large field. If it does pass and dog racing ends in December of 2020, that will give 2 years for breeders to stop breeding so the number of greyhounds up for adoption at that time will be significantly less.
Tony Esposito
April 19, 2018 at 9:41 am
Angie is completely right! Those of you who think the trainers are so sweet and altruistic are on the same crack they give their dogs, Charlie McClellan(trainer in Jax, whose dogs tested positive for crack on multiple occasions). True, there are good trainers who care well for their greyhounds, but there are also many scumbags like the one she mentioned, and I’m not afraid to say it; Haber Kennels. Fred above is also right, that they are no longer killing these beautiful animals because so much attention is on them now. It was mentioned above that Grey2k killed 300 greyhounds or so which I don’t know is true or not. But I do know that in the past, so many times I have read where corpses of hundreds of greyhounds were found buried in fields, some even shot to death! Nice loving trainers there, huh? If these trainers are so “animal-friendly”, then why did they used to train greyhounds on live rabbits? Where were the advocates for the rabbits? I’m not sure if trainers still train their dogs on live rabbits anymore, I’d sure hope they have gained some decency since then. I know because I used to frequent the track regularly for about 20 years back in the 80’s and 90’s. I couldn’t begin to name all the times I’ve seen dogs break their legs right in front of my eyes. Some in such trauma, that they try to jump the wall surrounding the track. It is truly pitiful, and these owners, trainers, and even patrons to the tracks are pretty much desensitized to it all. Angie is also correct on PBKC not showing the replays of races where a dog gets seriously injured. Referring to this race she is talking about on Sunday, can you imagine if someone filmed the race and showed it to the public on a television commercial where this poor greyhound was in this pain trying to get to his feet but couldn’t? Just that one video would influence so may people sitting “on the fence” not sure of which way to vote. I’m sure it would also change the vote of many who are presently against this proposal. Most people have not been to the track often enough to witness what really happens when a greyhound is injured, but one look at a detailed video would quickly change their mind. Every single one of these trainers know that this happens on a consistent basis, but they just seem to try and ignore it to justify their paycheck! I used to love going to the track, but after seeing a serious injury once, I sat down and thought, “What in the hell am I doing here, where these poor dogs get exploited all for money? So I stopped going that day and have only been back maybe 2-3 times over the past 30 years. I know for a fact of lead-outs betting on races and stepping on a greyhounds toes they didn’t run well. Trainers clipping toenails close so it’s painful to run, while betting on another dog, the list is endless. I went to the PBKC for the first time in ages last Saturday night as my relative from NY wanted to go. I was shocked when I saw the attendance. Back in the 80’s, on any given Saturday night that place was totally jammed with people, elbow to elbow. Last Saturday night it was dead, There couldn’t have been more than 50 people on the entire 2nd floor. It is a dying business, and the revenue data shows it. The owners at one of the oldest tracks in the world(Flagler) are closing down greyhound races in July and allowing Jai Alai to play instead. Now, for an owner to replace dog racing with Jai Alai( a sport that has practically been dead for 20 years) really says something. The writing is on the wall, and even if this bill doesn’t pass, greyhound racing will be obsolete within 5 years due to poor revenue and the eventual change to de-coupling. Probably at least 9 of the 12 Florida tracks(save PB, Derby Lane, and Jax) would close down in a heartbeat if they weren’t forced to run races due to de-coupling. So Albert, I feel your passion and disgust for Grey 2k if all those allegations are true, but that has absolutely nothing to do with greyhounds getting injured and often killed because of these injuries suffered on the track. Even individuals losing their jobs does not justify putting a dogs life in jeopardy each and every time they walk the post parade getting set to run. If you trained you family dog to run across the street each morning at precisely 8:00am to get the newspaper, regardless of weather, possible oncoming cars, or any external conditions, you’d know that there is a slight possibility that on any given day, a car could be driving by at a speed fast enough to kill him instantly upon impact. Would you take that chance with the dog you’ve had for 10 years and love so dearly? If you were 100% honest with yourself the answer would be “no.” So then why do it with a greyhound you “supposedly” love so much, taking a risk, low as it may be, that he will be hurt badly enough to have to put him down? The answer? The ALMIGHTY DOLLAR!!! Microphone dropped!
Esther Figueroa
April 19, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Wow Tony and Angie, just reading your 2 posts made me change my position. The dogs don’t understand that by going out there they could be seriously injured, even to death, so they don’t know any better. But these owners and trainers do understand the possibility of serious injury, so if they truly loved these dogs as they say, then why put them out there at serious risk? Anyone opposed to the proposal care to answer this question with complete honesty? Tony is 100% right, it’s ALL about the $$$$$. Shame on you people!!!
Evelyn Winthrop
April 20, 2018 at 2:54 pm
I would like to know why not one person on this thread who is against the proposal will answer the questions or comments put out there by Angie, Tony or Esther? All I keep reading is the same crap about how bad Grey 2k is, adoption limitations, revenue, jobs, etc, everything but the most important issue here: The health and safety of the dogs!!! Why can’t just 1 person assure the thread that the dogs have absolutely no chance of being injured on the track, or that the nasty, disturbing videos that are circulating of these injuries and falls are bogus in some way? Why doesn’t anybody from the industry challenge the story Angie put up about this Haber Kennel intentionally killing all of these dogs who underperformed? It’s obvious that Albert is against the proposal, but even he was man enough to admit that he had also heard of that story. Kudos to you Albert!It sounds like Tony spent quite a few years at PBKC years ago and knows a lot more than any of us on this thread regarding what happens at the track. The story that Angie wrote about the dog running Sunday is barbaric!!! I want to hear someone discount Angie’s story. No one can, because her friend was an eye-witness to the event, and the fact the PBKC won’t show the video on their website further proves the claim that it actually happened. There’s no computer glitch because I looked and all the other races on the card and all have replays up. So PBKC hides all races from the public where a dog falls or gets injured. And this is one the organizations you back, huh? Each time I think of that poor dog trying, with everything he had, to get onto his feet but couldn’t, I feel like vomiting. How can anyone who was a witness to that event continue backing this uncivilized practice? So it’s obvious to me, that behind this “dog and pony show” are a bunch of owners, trainers, and gamblers who could care less about the safety of the greyhounds, or else they wouldn’t put the dogs out there in the first place. So let’s call it what it is: A bunch of people who make a detestable living off the potential of a beautiful dog getting badly injured or even killed on the oval for the sole pursuit of money. Very nice society we have become!! The analogy that Tony wrote toward the end of his post was brilliant. Why doesn’t anyone from the greyhound industry side challenge it? Because they ALL know, they make a living off putting a dog’s life in jeopardy each time they run the course. I have no affiliation with either side, and have nothing to do with any animal activist group like Grey 2k. All I know is that is clear as a bell to me that the 3 people on here who focused on injuries were not refuted or challenged in any way. That in itself shows me that people on both sides realize the dangers greyhounds face each time they race. So if you proponents can guarantee the public that you have found a miraculous fail-safe way to 100% protect the well being of the greyhound during a race, then do so and make all parties happy. If not, then you need to sit down and cease with your rhetoric. And if you personally don’t see a problem with this, then you have a more serious issue within yourself. So again, if you thrive financially off the pain, suffering, and sometimes death that a dog in your kennel, or whatever association you may have with greyhound racing encounters, you are even worse that this Grey 2k organization you detest.
Mary Dombrowski
April 20, 2018 at 4:55 pm
Preach it girl!
Catherine White
April 22, 2018 at 3:21 pm
First, the rate of injury during greyhound races is considerably lower than that of injuries to retired hounds in their own back yards. The number of injuries against the number of dog/races is less than 1%. Veterinarians report about 10% of retired hounds are injured in their own yards. I did not see the race described. I have seen a greyhound fall during a race, and his owner jumped the fence and ran to get to him and carry him out – the lead outs are just youths who don’t live and breathe these dogs. These dogs do what they love to do. If they don’t want to race they are petted out immediately (my adoption group just got 6, of which 3 were between 18 months and 2 years old, never raced). Adoption groups across the US and Canada are clamoring for dogs, as people figure out what wonderful pets they make – BECAUSE of how well they are raised and trained. I know some greyhounds that were never raised and trained for the track and they are different dogs – lovely but not as well socialized. It is the greyhound racing industry that developed the network of HUNDREDs of adoption groups – NOT Grey2k (check their financial statements – it all goes to their own salaries and greasing political palms). I used to believe what they are selling until I went to see for myself. I saw the races, the kennels and a puppy farm. I saw what they eat and how they are massaged and how their trainers lavish them with love. They are so much better cared for than the average house pet sitting at home waiting for his family all day or tied outside for life. I thank those trainers every day for the wonderful hounds now on my couch, and I am honored to help find retired hounds their retirement homes.
Albert O'Toole
April 23, 2018 at 7:02 am
Albert O'Toole
April 23, 2018 at 7:06 am
Albert O'Toole
April 19, 2018 at 6:02 pm
I remember that incident where they found numerous greyhounds shot and thrown into a ditch.
Those greyhounds were to go to a farm and homes found for them. But the scumbag hillbilly thought he’d take the money given to him to care for and feed them until they were distributed to adoption agencies. That S O B died before his court date. In which he got what he deserved. Hopefully it was a painful and miserable death for that bastard. He wasn’t really a greyhound man. He scammed the greyhound kennels, racetracks and the owners who expected him to do what they expected him to do, and that was to hold them until the adoption groups made arrangements to transport them to their facilities and find caring, loving families for them. He ripped off everyone. As far as training them with jack rabbits. Jack rabbits were killing farmers massive crops. Corn, wheat and whatever that was going to this countries grocery stores as produce. Back then it was jack rabbits. No other types of rabbits were used back then as training devices. Just the ugly jack rabbits. They, from what my veterinarians say, were mass reproducing thousands upon thousands everyday. This country was in a huge jack rabbit crisis. My vet’s said those ugly little bastards are blistering fast so why not let the greyhounds help rid this country of them until the FDA figures out a solution. If they were to set out poisons for the jack rabbits it could cause numerous other health issues to the crops and consumers. Our veterinarians said that they carry diseases that the FDA did not know how to deal with the problem. There was a huge write up about the same problem in Australia.
Those people were dropping like flies because of those ugly little creatures. They farmers tried using spot lights late at night to shoot them but they never came close to killing a fraction of them. Massive, massive, massive reproducers!!!!!!!!!! The same was happening here. Most breeds of rabbits are beautiful, even the cottontails. But I remember on my uncles farms there were so many eating his crops and there was nothing he could do to control the situation. To this day, I feel those ugly ass jack rabbits are what led to his death.
Tony Esposito
April 20, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Albert, there are way more than just one incident where greyhounds were left for dead in a field somewhere….many, many more. The one I speak of jogs my memory because it was a trainer who killed these dogs. Mitch Haber was around my age at the time(mid-20’s) and he was first at Daytona, then moved to Palm Beach. I used to see him at the track all of the time. I’m pretty sure he was kicked out of Palm Beach due to this incident, because I never saw him anymore, and I am pretty sure his license was revoked. He did continue to own dogs for a while because I’d see his name on the program. I’m not sure if the Haber family is still in the greyhound business, I do know they went down to the southern tracks in Florida(Biscayne, Hollywood and Flagler) at the time. That was just the time he got caught! How many other times were there? How many other times were there that others were not caught? You have to remember, it is estimated that if greyhound racing ceased in Fl., that 8,000 dogs would need to find homes. Back in the 80’s, there were way, way more greyhounds running because back then it was all over the country with no adoption agencies. You do the math. Where did all these greyhounds go?You guys on here really don’t know the history of greyhound racing. I could tell you stories that would curl your hair because I knew many of the trainers back then. It has gotten much better and adoption agencies have saved so many thousands of greyhounds in the past 10-15 years. I remember sitting at a table back in the late 90’s, and a trainer and his friends were sitting next to me. I was watching him describe a story how one of his own greyhounds broke his leg. I will never forget his expression as long as I live. He had a little smurk on his face, and described the event by using his hands showing how the dog’s leg snapped in two. He was actually making light of it, and that is the day when I began questioning how my betting contributed to this barbaric sport. Very soon after that I stopped going.
Albert O'Toole
April 23, 2018 at 7:03 am
Sam
April 23, 2018 at 5:17 pm
the ()’s things have changed a lot since then, ask the activists why the fought to stop the greyhound safety act if they care so much about greyhounds, they are it in for the free money
Albert O'Toole
April 24, 2018 at 7:47 am
All of you dip sh_t so called anti-racing and so called advocates. Have you ever actually gone into a race kennel and experienced how well greyhounds are care cared for? Obviously not. You are shown pictures and videos of the greyhounds over in Spain. My girlfriend is proof of that. And those same ugly as pictures were taken over in Spain. Then brought back here to the U S and portrayed as greyhounds in the U S.
They are cared for the exact same way professional athletes are cared for. GO CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELVES, DUMB ASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have got to be kidding me if you think the owners who purchase these greyhounds for thousands of dollars are going to let them be mistreated the way you say. These people who invest their hard earned moneys in greyhounds do it because they love the beauty of greyhounds and enjoy when their greyhounds do well. If you want to help the greyhounds, go over to Spain or Australia or to China where those people don’t give a damn about their greyhounds. AND THAT’S A FACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sure, there are crooked assholes in every profession. And I do mean EVERY PROFESSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even in professional sports. Anyone that doesn’t care for any greyhound the correct way should be banished from the sport and given jail or prison time or better yet, put them into my hands and I’ll personally shatter both their legs and break every bone in their faces and everyday they wake up for the rest of their lives and look into a mirror to groom themselves, they will see my face from the ass whipping I inflict upon them. THAT’S A PROMISE I MAKE, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The greyhounds love to run and compete and love the TLC they receive.They know they are competing against other greyhounds.
They are exactly just like us humans. Here’s a fact for you!!!!!!!!!!!! More race horses break down EVERYDAY from injuries than do greyhounds. That also is a FACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do your own research , and not what they call dumbey brainwashed research, and go to a race kennel and see for yourselves.
Andy
April 20, 2018 at 5:58 pm
It’s not dying, online betting is growing, Palm Beach averages 300k handle PER CARD, another ignorant greed2k troll
David W
April 19, 2018 at 7:01 pm
The two out of three Greyhounds that don’t die on the track will be happy to hear this. End this cruel industry
Albert O'Toole
April 23, 2018 at 7:03 am
Maria Ortiz
April 19, 2018 at 7:26 pm
End this cruelty now! Greyhounds have every right to live a happy and healthy life, being walked and in loving homes, not racing while forcing drugs on these innocent babies for your disgusting pleasure. This is inhumaine.
Catherine White
April 22, 2018 at 3:26 pm
You cannot force a dog to run. If a hound does not want to run he retires and goes to adoption. They are not drugged. They are drug tested at EVERY race. They are well cared for and get the best food and medical care, healthy routines and lots of love. Go see for yourself and do not believe what a lobby group tells you. Their owners invest a lot in them and want them to be strong healthy athletes so they can win.
steven grabarczyk
April 22, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Maybe this was FRED BARTON’s URINE LOL, nonetheless, this is how FAR these people will go to push their lies, deceit, and defamation. By possibly committing a FELONY
steven grabarczyk
April 22, 2018 at 12:07 pm
And this has been known to be out there, just I did not post until the PROOF came out.
Fred Barton
April 22, 2018 at 3:28 pm
One test Stevie? One? Seventeen dogs tested positive for cocaine just at Orange Park Kennel Club alone. And you find one bad test from Arizona and hang your hat on it? Come on Stevie. You can do better than that.
Andy
April 23, 2018 at 6:19 am
Just like I though fat Freddie, you are a fat PUSSY, hiding behind a keyboard
Fred Barton
April 23, 2018 at 7:27 am
Gee Andy, when you make such literate, cogent and logically tight arguments as that you make it hard for me to respond. Where did you get your training in rhetoric?
Annabelle
April 23, 2018 at 6:08 pm
One thing I have noticed by these posts. Some of the people on the side of greyhound racing are rude and have filthy mouths! Challenging a guy to a fight outside? Calling someone a P****? Grow the hek up, and you surely are not doing your cause justice. Just by these posts alone, and I know nothing about greyhound racing, I’d vote for the proposal just by seeing what’s on the other side.
Andy
April 26, 2018 at 8:41 am
NC State University PUSSY, let’s test the other 16 tests and see what is found. Interesting that Tony Glover, who headed the agency responsible for the samples, is now a grey 2 k lawyer. These people are crooks of the highest order.
Andy
April 26, 2018 at 8:43 am
If it was your livelihood they are trying to destroy with lies you would feel a bit different there buddy
Fred Barton
April 26, 2018 at 10:24 am
“In 2006, Florida greyhound tracks handled bets totaling $478 million, according to the state’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. By 2016, the handle had plummeted to less than $240 million. Taxes paid by greyhound tracks fell even more dramatically, hitting $2.8 million in 2016, down from $13.8 million in 2006.”
The market has already taken your livelihood away. Wouldn’t it be better to end it in a controlled fashion like they did in Iowa than to let it crumble in bits and pieces, stranding those unlucky enough to be left?
Fred Barton
April 26, 2018 at 10:20 am
Not sure what your point is here, but if I were you I’d contact N C State and ask for my money back.
Andy
April 27, 2018 at 12:53 pm
If I was you I would join a gym and get in shape, but of course that takes WORK, which you and your cohorts are too lazy for, that’s why you scam people instead. Tell me, Fat Freddie, are you not shamed when you look at your fatass in the mirror? Oh, and if greyhound racing is dying, how do you explain the 2.3.4.5….. on up to superfectas paying 35k? Where does that money come from, I guess out of thin air, like your “facts”.
Fred Barton
April 27, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Well, part of the money comes from subsidies because there aren’t enough bettors to create an attractive purse. For example, in 2016 the government of West Virginia had to reduce the amount of its share of purses by $3 million in order to make sure enough money was available to support the cards.
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