Staff Reports
The Protect Dogs-Yes on 13 campaign on Friday announced another round of endorsements.
They include current and former lawmakers, greyhound groups, editorial boards, animal welfare organizations, and a local animal shelter, the campaign said in a release.
The group is promoting passage of Amendment 13, put on the November ballot by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC).
The proposal, which needs at least 60 percent approval to be added to the state constitution, aims at ending commercial dog racing in the state. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 11 tracks.
“Progressives and conservatives don’t agree on much these days, which is why the growing bipartisan support behind the #YesOn13 movement to end inhumane greyhound racing is so incredible,” said state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando Democrat, in a statement.
“After decades of Tallahassee inaction, Florida voters will finally have their chance to end (dog racing) by voting YES on Amendment 13 this November. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to free the greyhounds!”
According to the campaign, Friday’s endorsements include:
— Democratic House members Joe Abruzzo, Jared Moskowitz, and Carlos Guillermo Smith, and former state Reps. Mike Hill and Marlene O’Toole, both Republicans.
— Greyhound Adoptions of Florida, Friends of Greyhounds, Greyhound Rescue and Adoptions of Tampa Bay, Elite Greyhound Adoptions, and National Greyhound Adoption Program.
— The editorial boards of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Naples Daily News, and Fort Myers News-Press, as well as E–The Environmental Magazine, The New Barker Dog Magazine, and Animal Wellness Magazine.
— Animal Welfare Action, Epic Outreach, Silverback Peace Group, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
— Englewood Animal Rescue.
22 comments
Ann WILLIAMS
July 13, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Good news , one of the most BARBARIC “sports” …disposable dogs after winning money off them. Sick!!
Lance Blum
July 14, 2018 at 9:50 am
Disposable after winning money off of them… They get adopted out just like any other dog or cat. As a former owner and trainer of greyhounds I can tell you that my pups were always well taken care of and happy. At the end of their racing careers I either brought them home as personal pets or made sure they went to good homes. Not discarded as you say. And what exactly does barbaric mean. Tell me what is done that is barbaric to these dogs.
Cynthia Johansmeyer
July 14, 2018 at 3:17 pm
I have been a Grey mom for 15 yrs and have experience with the breed. Sooo keeping a dog …ANY dog in a cage @20hrs a day and feeding them D quality meat, is acceptable and your definition of “well taken care of”?? So why do the majority of hounds coming off the track have gum disease, are tape worms positive and worse..If that is your definition of “well taken care of” God help your children… and don’t start that crap they are atheletes because I know of NO atheletes that would endure this…and won’t.
Jim
July 14, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Cynthia- I think it’s best to leave people’s children out of this discussion as that’s pretty vile! The other thing I’d like to say is that you said the ‘majority ‘ of dogs. I’m adopted greys for 9 years and could never make a statement about the majority of dogs because I only know of mine, so how could you POSSIBLY say you know as you have a limited knowledge, with a limited amount of dogs! Don’t throw blanket statements about thousands of dogs, when you only know of the few that you’ve been involved with. That’s so obtuse and of course a less than educated guess at best.
Sylvia Kraus
July 14, 2018 at 10:15 am
Ann Williams, you have obviously never been at NGA track kennel, or had any experience with the owners and adopters of this unique, breed of animals. I have had greyhounds and volunteered in the “greyhound world” for 22 years. I have done track time at Southland and TRI-STATE NGA tracks. Therefore I know of what I speak. Greyhounds are born to run, and there is nothing barbaric in their athletic ability. In addition, if you had taken the time to research the adoption statistics, you would have learned, with documented records, that 95% of NGA racing greyhounds are transferred to adoption groups throughout the US and Canada. The other 5% return to their home farms for breeding or as domestic pets. I am an R.N. and have never seen the same consistent, loving, commitment, and quality care in human care as I have seen in the kennel care at the NGA tracks. To have the nerve to care racing dogs disposable is sickbefore you make such accusatory statements visit a kennel.
Michael
July 14, 2018 at 11:50 am
What does GOP got to do this with this. What next stop horse racing
Ronnie Feldman
July 14, 2018 at 4:08 am
This is supposed to be an interesting groundswell of support? Everything about it is completely predictable. Jared Moskowitz was co-sponsor of Matt Gaetz’s failed bill in the House. Democrats? Expected. The shocking thing is it wasn’t Democrat sponsored. This thing smells so rotten it just might be very few GOPs will want to get anywhere near it other than the confederacy of dunces who conceived it. The Animal Rights groups they conspired with to underwrite it and crucify the greyhound people couldn’t be any further left without falling off the end of the chart.
And Animal Welfare groups? Where? Those are all Animal Rights groups. ASPCA? Who are you trying to kid? They and HSUS had to settle Ringling’s RICO Act suit for $25Million for paying their only witness $190,000 to lie to a federal judge. Calling them a welfare group is ludicrous. Whoever wrote this is either totally pro ban and dishonest, or woefully uninformed about any of these politics & incompetent.
Brian J Turgeon
July 15, 2018 at 3:03 pm
Okay, how about the feasible fact that it is not financially viable anymore. it is being taken over by slots in the playing card industry and yet these dogs run still in which they don’t have to. this is what this amendment will do. so if you want to leave all the Humane arguments out of the picture, figure that in!
Charles Harris
July 14, 2018 at 5:27 am
Can’t greyhound racing be done in a way to not be inhumane? Why is there a need to ban the activity? The activity can be humane with necessary monitoring and record keeping by track operators/owners.
Audrey
July 14, 2018 at 8:59 am
Anything that is associated with gambling will end corrupt. We are dealing with greedy humans.
Barbara Masi
July 14, 2018 at 9:07 am
It is done humanely. You need to see the truth – visit a kennel and talk to the trainers. See what actually happens and you will learn that those supporting the passage of such an amendment have a lack of knowledge with what actually takes place with the dogs.
Sylvia Kraus
July 14, 2018 at 10:20 am
Ann Williams, you have obviously never been at NGA track kennel, or had any experience with the owners and adopters of this unique, breed of animals. I have had greyhounds and volunteered in the “greyhound world” for 22 years. I have done track time at Southland and TRI-STATE NGA tracks. Therefore, I know of what I speak. Greyhounds are born to run, and there is nothing barbaric in their athletic ability. In addition, if you had taken the time to research the adoption statistics, you would have learned, with documented records, that 95% of NGA racing greyhounds are transferred to adoption groups throughout the US and Canada. The other 5% return to their home farms for breeding or as pets. I am an R.N. and have never seen the same consistent, loving, commitment, and quality care in human care as I have seen in the kennel care at the NGA tracks. To have the nerve to call racing dogs disposable is sickbefore you make such accusatory statements visit a kennel.
Brian J Turgeon
July 15, 2018 at 3:06 pm
That’s the whole point, the trainers were against the record-keeping of Greyhound deaths! that’s why it took so long to get the statistics out there. There is never a humane way to keep greyhound racing! Never!
Craig Laginess
July 14, 2018 at 7:38 am
The last time I checked the National Greyhound Association Adoption Program is either neutral or against 13.
Lance Blum
July 14, 2018 at 9:54 am
Disposable after winning money off of them… They get adopted out just like any other dog or cat. As a former owner and trainer of greyhounds I can tell you that my pups were always well taken care of and happy. At the end of their racing careers I either brought them home as personal pets or made sure they went to good homes. Not discarded as you say. And what exactly does barbaric mean. Tell me what is done that is barbaric to these dogs.
Charles Harris
July 14, 2018 at 10:27 am
Reading about this, I get the feeling this is some kind of stunt the demon-crats has come up with in an effort to garner votes in up coming election. I enjoy watching and participating in greyhound racing as a patron and occasionally placing a bet or two on my prediction for a race. It is a fun activity and the dogs seem to enjoy it as well. I’m VOTING GOP in November.
Brian J Turgeon
July 15, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Really, are you serious!! you’re going to make this into a partisan issue?? this amendment is being supported by both parties and has absolutely NOTHING to do with midterm elections! so get off your high horse and take the amendment as it is! as the question reads! stop being an idiot!
Francesca
July 16, 2018 at 7:02 pm
This sham of an amendment is simply a way for casino interests to get rid of racing because it stands in the way of casinos, HSUS and grey2k are nothing less than fraudsters, and they are being used to get rid of dog racing. It is not in any way abusive, the dogs love to run. Do a little research on grey2k and you will find them aligned with Animal Loberation Front, a terrorist group. Go do a kennel tour and see the facts for yourself, instead of reciting grey2k dribble.
Michael
July 14, 2018 at 11:47 am
Just let the dog vote for it and this shows how stupid all this is
JoeCat
July 14, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Why don’t they go after the horse racing crowd…….if greyhound racing is inhumane, horse racing is much worse. The reason they don’t go after that crowd is because it is owned by millionaires.
Paula Lawrence
July 14, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Greyhound racing is a highly favored competition sport in Florida. It is also highly regulated. Employees must clear a background check, have a fingerprint card on file, wear photo ID, submit to random kennel inspections at unannounced times, have every medication, including aspirin and lineament declared and listed. The dogs are subjected to urine tests at any time, wether they won the race or came in last place. The dogs in the kennels enjoy Top Notch nutrition, heated whirlpool time, deep sand sprint paths to stretch out in on non-racing days, leash walks, and meticulous grooming, as well as 4-7 turnouts into the yard everyday. The people who care for these dogs are Proffesionals. Many patrons enjoy the tracks fine dining, thrill of competition, and comradery of fellow patrons.
Closing our Greyhound tracks and turning them into casinos is nothing short of a travesty, and a detriment to our beautiful, historical state.
Keep Greyhound Racing Alive!
Jim
July 14, 2018 at 1:06 pm
I really don’t understand the furor against greyhound racing. I go to the track occasionally and have been in a kennel. It’s obvious the dogs love the racing, you can hear their excitement when they hear the lure coming. As for the kennel, the dogs were in clean crates and looked very fit and happy. You could tell the staff dotes on the dogs. If people want to donate, why not put donations where they’re desperately needed- in local shelters who are over run with dogs. They need help desperately so they don’t have to put down so many of them. That’s the sickening part in my mind. Donations are used to lobby politicians and won’t go to where it really needs to go. Why do people give their hard earned money just to have it go to lobbyists and not to help animals. I researched the hsus and grey2k, and they pass almost zero of your money to shelters that really need it. In my mind, THAT’S what I find pathetic and offensive. Do YOU know where your donation goes? Research it, you may get as upset as I am!!!
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