Guest Author
Florida voters will be asked in November to decide the fate of the work product of the third Constitutional Revision Commission (CRC) since the 1968 Constitution that created the CRC process. Currently, this CRC has produced perhaps as many as 13 additional ballot questions (total of 18 on the ballot) effecting up to 25 changes to the Florida constitution.
Our current constitution was adopted in 1968 — and is celebrating only its 50th birthday. Florida adopted a new constitution, because the 1885 constitution was deeply flawed. Perhaps in hopes of avoiding the need to completely rewrite the constitution again, the 1968 drafters created the extremely unique process — the CRC — no other state has anything like the CRC, even after watching Florida’s 50-year history with one.
Most individuals would agree that the purpose of a constitution is to establish the basic structure of government and the fundamental rights of citizens. But, is this broad agreement as to the purpose of a constitution similar to agreeing that we should eat more broccoli? Or, is our agreement to this principle more significant?
The CRC was never intended to be a “super-Legislature” or a vehicle to propose putting issues in the constitution that ‘can’t get through the Legislature.’ And, it was certainly never intended they would place proposals on the ballot merely because they were thought to be a “good idea.” The CRC acting in this manner is more likely to lead to the need for a constitutional rewrite, similar to 1968, rather than avoid it.
The language creating the CRC clearly seems to envision a commission that is modest and circumspect in its proposals. Article XI Section 2 (c) of the Constitution states:
“Each constitution revision commission shall … not later than one hundred eighty days prior to the next general election, file with the custodian of state records its proposal, if any, of a revision of this constitution or any part of it.”
Modesty and circumspection can be seen in at least three parts of the provision. First, is the word “proposal.” It is singular — which implies that the CRC may put forward limited proposals — not a long list of proposals. Second, is the use of the phrase “if any” which suggests that the 1968 framers realized that the CRC could reasonable find no need for change to Florida’s constitution. Third, is the word “a” as in “a revision.” Thus, the language in the Constitution regarding the CRC suggests it exists to consider important issues that constitutional attention.
The current CRC has many good proposals that do affect the structure of government or basic rights for its citizens — and for those efforts, they are to be commended. They have worked very hard and devoted significant time away from their families and work to undertake this effort. They have addressed serious issues, which, although qualifying as issues of constitutional magnitude, the CRC members have decided not to place before the voters. That too is hard work.
Historically, the CRC process has met with mixed success with less than 40 percent of their proposals being adopted by voters. None of their work product in 1978 passed and in 1998, although most passed they still suffered some defeats. Compared to legislative or citizen proposals CRC proposals have met with only about half the success. Citizen initiatives and legislative proposals both hover around an 80 percent passage rate.
So, back to broccoli. What is the harm in putting proposals in the constitution that don’t meet the test we all agree they should meet? Proposals that are really legislative issues that ‘seem like good ideas’ or the ‘legislature has refused to pass’ even though they had been repeatedly asked. Besides the possibility of ultimately destroying the constitution they create the risk that good proposals go down with bad proposals, they demean the constitution as the important document we all want it to be, they create policy that is inflexible, and they can create unintended consequences and cost.
The CRC’s greyhound racing proposal is a classic example of a proposal that fails to rise to the level of a constitutional matter. Former Chief Judge of the Florida Supreme Court Major Harding is one of many legal scholars who shares the view that the greyhound amendment should not be in the Constitution.
In a column Justice Harding recently wrote, he identified the proposed greyhound amendment as one of three CRC proposals that do not belong in the Constitution noting that Florida’s Constitution is already three times longer than the U.S. Constitution and is “riddled with countless, ordinary laws and specifics of government policy and regulation, such as confinement of pregnant pigs, that lessen its status.” The Editorial Board of the Tallahassee Democrat/USA TODAY NETWORK shares his view and correctly stated in an editorial that the greyhound proposal “ … can be done by statute and doesn’t need to be in the Constitution.”
Of the remaining CRC proposals — the greyhound amendment received the fewest votes in the full CRC. The greyhound proposal most certainly does not belong in the Constitution. In fact, you could call the proposal the “Pregnant Pig Amendment” of 2018. It is purely a legislative issue. In past years individuals have aggressively sought gaming rights, card rooms and slot machines, to ‘protect the historic pari-mutuel industry’ and to ‘enhance prize purses.’ Now, many of these same individuals seek to rid themselves of the ‘historic pari-mutuel industry’ so that they can maintain their gambling monopoly (the proposal is very clear about protection of all gaming monopolies) and enhance their profits because they will not have to roll any of the gaming proceeds into prize purses.
Some of the advocates of the greyhound proposal tell stories of animal abuse that are flat out fiction. Stories, which if true, would result in prosecution. No state attorney or jury in Florida would tolerate the animal abuse described nor would the Division of Pari-mutuel Wagering which closely inspects tracks and kennels every week. The only individuals that would suffer as a result of these alleged abuses would be the dog owners who have invested thousands of dollars to purchase each racing greyhound and thousands more to raise and train each dog.
If the greyhound amendment passes it could extinguish 3,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs within 45 days of passage. It would also put the well-being of as many as 15,000 greyhounds in jeopardy. If you take away the ability of their owners and trainers to make a living—you also take away their ability to care for the dogs.
In addition, the amendment would have a significant financial impact on Florida. Over the last five years over $1.2 billion has been bet on live greyhound racing just at track ticket counters (that number is even higher if you count internet bets). The track in Orlando would be forced to close. The state would lose tax revenue and would also incur liability for a taking as they render the hundreds of millions of dollars in property invested by Floridians in this legal enterprise — worthless.
But beyond the economic impact, the gross misrepresentations from the advocates, the unfairness in preserving monopolies while creating — in essence — mini-casinos, there is a much more important reason that the greyhound proposal should not be advanced by the CRC — it simply does not belong in the Constitution.
___
Jeff Kottkamp is an Attorney Practicing Law in Tallahassee. He served in the Florida House of Representative and was Florida’s 17th Lt. Governor. He is Jackson’s dad, Cyndie’s husband and the Human caregiver to 2 Dogs.
Paul Hawkes is an Attorney Practicing Law in Tallahassee. He served in the Florida House of Representatives. He is the former Chief Judge of the 1st District Court of Appeals.
50 comments
Fed Up
April 9, 2018 at 10:20 am
I bought your argument that this type of amendment doesn’t belong in the FL Constitution but should be something the legislature considers. You lost my support when you began to argue on behalf of the Greyhound lobby. One argument has nothing to do with the other.
until you started arguing the
Carey Theil
April 9, 2018 at 11:23 am
Both of these lobbyists represent the Florida Greyhound Association, a trade association that fights animal welfare reforms on behalf of greyhound breeders.
Steven M Grabarczyk
April 9, 2018 at 11:54 am
And you represent what Carey? An organization that lives on misinformation, lies, sensationalism, not to mention borderline fraud to get your donations. You have lied to EVERY media outlet here in FL and we have the proof. You lie in the face of the scientific truth on cocaine, you lie about the birth control issue in the face of esteemed scientists. You and your wife lie and defame an industry for donations. Last time I checked there was a guy who lied on GoFundMe that he had cancer, and they locked him up. That’s where you should be. You and your associates are shills and a charlatans. You better brush up on FL Statute 836, cause that’s coming your way really soon.
Real Cheddar
April 9, 2018 at 11:59 am
Carey Theil is an out of State lobbyist who has fought repeatedly against safety measures (specifically the Smith/Rader Greyhound Protection Act) to be implemented at Florida Greyhound tracks. He is a grifter of the highest order who feeds off the well-intended donations from well-meaning citizens of this fine State.
As with most corrupt politicians, all one has to do is look to their lobbyists and follow the money.
John S
April 9, 2018 at 12:20 pm
and Carey Theil spreads lies and misinformation about greyhound racing just to line his pockets along with his wife’s Christine Dorchek, They do nothing to help greyhounds and have been proven to use lies and fraudulent information to raise donations
Michael
April 9, 2018 at 12:59 pm
And you represent a Ponzi scheme that does nothing-how about the evil of robbing widows – Fred Barton and you! Stop your lies-,you just lie, steal -you haven’t helped a single dog
Dick Ciampa
April 9, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Look who else is a Florida lobbyist.
https://www.floridalobbyist.gov/LobbyistInformation/LobbyistDetail/3899?year=2018&Branch=L
It’s Carey Theil.
Carey, you are not for greyhound welfare. You are the person that wanted to try and haul over 6,000 greyhounds out of Florida when Hurricane Irma was approaching. What a disaster that would have caused. Everyone in Florida knew I-75 and I-95 were jammed end to end and many dogs would have died as haulers ran out of gas and the AC units stopped working as the batteries died.
What a bonanza you tried to create at the greyhounds expense. You would have been all over this and donations would have poured in, but you were exposed for trying to generate donations.
Animal welfare, isn’t that what you said you needed the question framed as so you could win in November. You are trying rig the election.
When you don’t have the truth on your side you have to try anything to win.
Michael
April 9, 2018 at 1:47 pm
Tom Lee is being bought from Indian Gaming And y2grey Ponzi Scheme-The last year In Fl, we’ve had bar/school shootings, opioid addiction problem, hunan trafficking, dog fighting and humane society executing dog weekly- but wait the evils of all is,,, wait for it,,, dog racing-yes dog racing- that’s it- Florida will be safe – vote no prop 67- let Tom Lee and other liars do their little dance in hell
Cathy Cameron
April 9, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Cary Theil you are a lobbyist as well! You have ZERO concern for animal welfare. Your organization has actively opposed legislation to improve health and safety conditions at greyhound racetracks. Yet you want all injuries reported because those statistics mean more dollars for you. Your group claims the greyhound industry “overbreeds” and yet opposes the use of hormonal birth control in female racing greyhounds.
You lie, and you lie for money. You solicit donations from kind hearted people and make them believe the money goes to help greyhounds. If racing is so terrible, why does your group do absolutely nothing to help adoption groups rehome these amazing athletes? One of my good friends runs an all-volunteer adoption group. She politely asked you for a contribution to help with some extraordinary vet bills. Not only was the request denied in a very nasty manner, but she was blocked on all your social media fronts. Cary Theil you don’t care one bit about the welfare of racing greyhounds.
Nor do you care for the citizens or Florida or its Constition. You care about the money and you will lie to get it.
MJ Warren
April 10, 2018 at 8:12 am
And you and your wife are liars and charlatans and do nothing but pocket the money you raise and do nothing to help greyhounds.
Bill G
April 11, 2018 at 5:01 pm
http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/sports-numbers-big-business-florida
Reid Friedson, PhD
April 9, 2018 at 10:25 am
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) failed to establish corporations are not people and money is not speech because it was just another money corrupted Florida state organ. Get read for the Revolution of ’18 and the People’s Party.
Catgrrl63
April 9, 2018 at 12:43 pm
I have a retired racing greyhound who is missing part of his ear–he came off the track like that, along with a career-ending injury and a large Frankenstein-like scar on his hind leg. He raced at Daytona, where dogs were reportedly doused with termite pesticides (http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/LK/20111105/news/605073278/DN/) instead of being properly treated for fleas, and where dogs also tested positive for cocaine (https://www.wftv.com/news/dogs-at-daytona-beach-kennel-club-test-positive-fo/286642746). So forgive me if I’m a bit skeptical about the lack of a need for reforming greyhound racing.
Joannie Foster
April 10, 2018 at 12:15 am
Greyhounds have very thin skin, and therefore scar more easily. If you have ever been to a greyhound farm, which I doubt, you would know why they call the puppies “landsharks”. They have very sharp teeth and nails, and rough play can leave scars. I have three retired greys, and two of them have such scars. They had them long before they ever ran their first race. I can’t say that is definitely the case with your dog, but I am up to here with people who want to blame every little thing, that isn’t perfect about their greyhound, on their handlers at the tracks. Kennels at the tracks are inspected on a regular basis. If all of these awful things were really going on there it would be front page news, and indictments would follow. Think of it this way….If someone went out and spent $80,000 on a brand new Mercedes convertible, do you think they would leave it outside, top down, during a hurricane? Hell no! Greyhounds are the Mercedes, and the accusations of abuse toward them would make no fiscal sense, whatsoever. Abused and malnourished dogs are not healthy vibrant athletes. More importantly, their human caretakers care very much about each and every dog in their kennel. They spend more time with the dogs than they do their families. Just part of the job. If Florida residents would only do their own research regarding racing greyhounds, instead of believing what they read, or hear from someone else, the so-called animal welfare activists would be forced to get a job, as the donations would no longer support their lavish lifestyles.
Don Goldstein
April 9, 2018 at 12:52 pm
It is interesting that Mr. Kottkamp states, “It is purely a legislative issue” and yet he has spent the last few years on the Florida Greyhound Associations payroll making sure the legislature doesn’t deal with this issue.
Michael
April 9, 2018 at 4:10 pm
He has to when dealing with corrupt politicians such as Tom Lee- Mr Lee is no where to be found with pressing issues of human trafficking, opiod addiction, school shootings/He talks about Job growth in Fl , but wants to shut down an industry? Tom goes where the payola takes him-
Steven grabarczyk
April 9, 2018 at 5:55 pm
You can’t tell the truth if your life depended on it. You are a defamer and your complaint is coming. Take it to the bank, Don. Read Fl Statute 836 and think of every media source you fed misinformation about birth control and cocaine, I am filing the complaint and won’t stop til you are charged with the misdemeanor you deserve.
Peter W
April 9, 2018 at 6:40 pm
this coming from a Grey2k scam artists promoting lies and distorting the facts, surprise you or Carey Theil haven’t attached donation buttons to your post.
Your nothing but a fraud and liar and people are sick of it and are fighting back, You should also let people know that their donations are not tax deductible since you are a lobbying group and do nothing to help greyhounds
Jeff Sonksen
April 9, 2018 at 9:56 pm
No dogs have ever been given cocain. Everything about Grey2k and their activist followers are a scam. Fraudulent to their core. They will say anything as long as it boosts their donation dollars. The board members of Grey2k would be in jail if it weren’t for the politicians they pay for.
TedKennedytheLifeguard
April 9, 2018 at 10:34 pm
Regardless how one feels about greyhound racing, the issue is legislative and has no place in the constitution.
Joannie Foster
April 10, 2018 at 12:48 am
Carey Theil, how ironic! You are also a lobbyist who fights animal welfare reforms, with regard to racing greyhounds in Florida. Did you forget your opposition to the Smith-Rader Safety Act? Seems you and your wife have significant “memory” issues. If bulls^*t was music, you’d be a brass band!
Fred Barton
April 10, 2018 at 11:44 am
If there are actual legal arguments as to why Prop 67 doesn’t belong on the ballot, this article is not about them. Hiding behind the perfunctory nod to legal expertise is the real reason the article was written and that is the greyhound racing industry’s fight to keep a cruel, economically dead industry afloat. It should surprise no one that the industry is going to pull out all the stops in its campaign of dissembling, obfuscating and distracting to divert attention from the real issue: the fact that the time an industry based on the exploitation of innocent creatures for profit is coming to an end, and even of the legislature can’t see that, the people can.
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. I cannot imagine abandoning any of them when they become injured, old or sick and yet this is routinely what happens to them at operating tracks and will continue to happen as long as racing is allowed to exist.
Fred Barton
Board Member
GREY2K USA Worldwide
Brian Brady
April 10, 2018 at 1:51 pm
“It should surprise no one that the industry is going to pull out all the stops in its campaign of dissembling, obfuscating and distracting to divert attention from the real issue: the fact that the time an industry based on the exploitation of innocent creatures for profit is coming to an end, and even of the legislature can’t see that, the people can”.
Fred Barton,
The above quote from you is more applicable to your organization than the Greyhound Industry. So when exactly will your organization be disbanding?
https://www.facebook.com/greyhoundchronicles/?ref=br_rs
Fred Barton
April 10, 2018 at 2:22 pm
I figure we’ll disband a short while after greyhound racing ends. Umm…just to be clear, when it ends around the world. You may have noticed that Worldwide in our name. We’ve grown a little since Massachusetts donchano.
Brian Brady
April 10, 2018 at 2:59 pm
yes, Fred I have noticed you have taken your exploitation of the greyhound for profit worldwide. Maybe your fearless leaders should try getting actual jobs. Amazing that they can make more “Profit” as an “Advocacy” group than as actual working people contributing to society. The following is actual footage from an illegal wiretap from Brookline, “We can get jobs or take advantage of millions of well meaning people” “Let’s go option 2” The things that make you go hmmmm.
Joannie Foster
April 10, 2018 at 7:07 pm
Fred Barton, you said, ” I cannot imagine abandoning any of them when they become injured, old or sick and yet this is routinely what happens to them at operating tracks and will continue to happen as long as racing is allowed to exist.” Since this “routinely happens”, then you should have no problem giving me specifics about these abandonments. Give me some dogs’ names, and where they were abandoned. Don’t give me 20 year old propaganda either. You should be able to rattle off at least 10, since it happens so often. By the way, if you can’t do it, which I know you can’t, don’t reply with more of your smart ass remarks. You are slandering an entire industry of hard working people. You wouldn’t last until lunchtime if you had to go to work in a racing kennel. Those folks run circles around the rest of us when it comes to putting in a day’s work. So start naming dogs. Since everything about NGA greyhounds is meticulously recorded I will have no problem fact checking you either.
Bill G
April 11, 2018 at 4:59 pm
Not a dead industry where are your facts, read this and learn some truth instead of reading off Grey2K scam script,
http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/sports-numbers-big-business-florida
Fred Barton
April 12, 2018 at 8:33 am
From the Washington Post:
The Palm Beach Kennel Club and its peers collectively lose about $30 million each year on dog racing, according to financial statements the tracks are required to file with the state.
From the Florida Times Union:
The state’s 12 dog tracks took in $240 million in bets during the year that ended in June 2016, half the amount wagered a decade before. The state says it now spends more money regulating the greyhound industry than it receives in tax revenue from the races.
From the Tampa Bay Times:
The total amount gambled on live racing at Florida dog tracks declined by 56 percent between 2006 and 2016. State tax revenue from dog racing also continues to drop, with revenue declining by 81 percent from 2006 to 2016.
Need more?
Lori Bruce
April 10, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Grey2k will take your donation money and spend it on salaries and lobbying. If you want your money to go to greyhounds, donate to your local adoption group. Racing greyhounds are well looked after. The reason they make such wonderful pets is the care taken in breeding and raising these wonderful dogs.
Fred Barton
April 10, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Yeah, uh, except that Grey2K offices are in Arlington, not Brookline. Details are important, even in fantasies.
Lori Bruce
April 10, 2018 at 3:51 pm
What does the location of your offices have to do with anything I said?
Fred Barton
April 10, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Well, if you’re wiretapping someone, the wiretap has to be somewhere in the vicinity of their phones. Don’t you watch TV?
Lori Bruce
April 10, 2018 at 3:56 pm
I never said anything about wiretapping either. Maybe you should slow down and check who you’re replying to before you throw out such condescending remarks.
Fred Barton
April 10, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Sorry. Confused you with Brian Brady. His quote: “The following is actual footage from an illegal wiretap from Brookline, “We can get jobs or take advantage of millions of well meaning people” “Let’s go option 2” The things that make you go hmmmm.”
I would agree that care is taken in the breeding of greyhounds. It’s everything that comes after that is the problem. That’s why these “wonderful pets” come to adoption groups with fleas, ticks, rotting teeth, gastrointestinal issues, etc, etc, etc.
Lori Bruce
April 10, 2018 at 4:18 pm
The greyhounds that I’ve adopted were in terrific shape. It was obvious to me that they were well cared for before I adopted them.
Fred Barton
April 10, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Then you need to get out more. Every adoption group that’s been operating for even a little while has horror stories about the condition in which dogs have come to them and the money they had to spend to make the dogs whole again. Look here:
http://www.gcnm.org/concernsnews.html
Dick Ciampa
April 10, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Fred,
You need to come up with a better website than grey2K’s very good friend Judy Paulsen’s website. You know Judy that gave Grey2K the picture of the greyhound Fever to use on their signs.
https://postimg.org/image/d88kfh0ol/
To those that don’t Fever, Fever was an adopted greyhound that was almost dead when Judy took her in. This had nothing to do with the greyhound industry, but Fred and his cohorts didn’t care.
Here is the story of Fever.
http://www.gcnm.org/fever.html
Seems like G2K is the one pulling out all stops.
Lori Bruce
April 10, 2018 at 6:08 pm
Again with the condescension. You don’t know me or know anything about my experience with greyhounds. This link is to an article that is 15 years old, written by some anti-racing woman trying to find any link between any health problem a grey might have and racing. It is ridiculous. Different breeds are prone to different health problems.
I’ve seen your organization’s website. I’ve read through the propaganda and I think it’s shameful the way you use greyhounds to solicit donations from people who don’t know any better. Investors commented on the Grey2k Facebook page that people should do their own research. My comment was quickly removed and I was blocked.
Lori Bruce
April 10, 2018 at 6:10 pm
That should say “I’ve commented…”
Brian Brady
April 10, 2018 at 4:30 pm
fred, just trying to get by in your world where facts are inaccurate. I wasnt sure you knew how to handle anything but falsehoods.
Fred Barton
April 10, 2018 at 4:51 pm
If that’s your story then you should stick to it.
Joannie Foster
April 12, 2018 at 9:28 pm
Fred Barton you replied here on April 10th, ” Every adoption group that’s been operating for even a little while has horror stories about the condition in which dogs have come to them and the money they had to spend to make the dogs whole again. Look here:”. You had a link to a 15 year old article after that. ” Every adoption group that’s been operating for even a little while has horror stories…”. That’s a lot of groups, yet the only one you can come up with is from 15 years ago? That speaks volumes to me. I’m still waiting for you to answer me about all of those “abandonments”. Those rules still apply.
Fred Barton
April 13, 2018 at 7:58 am
Yes. I picked that article because those problems are just as prevalent today as they were 15 years ago, if not more so. I’m personally familiar with several groups here in Michigan who deal with that and a lot more on a daily basis.
If you think about it, every greyhound is abandoned by the industry when it can no longer make money for its owner because it’s dumped, hopefully on an adoption group, but gotten rid of no matter what. I don’t know who came up with the convenient euphemism “re-homed,” but it doesn’t make any sense because how can you be re-homed when you never had a home in the first place?
Joannie Foster
April 14, 2018 at 4:02 pm
Fred Barton, when a greyhound retires from racing he/she is given to responsible adoption groups that will find them a home. Merriam-Webster defines “abandoned” as: ” left without needed protection, care, or support.” That is NOT what happens to racing greyhounds when they retire, and you know it. I have personally picked up many dogs from their handlers when they retired. It was always an emotional time, as the people handed me the leash, and said “Goodbye” to a dear friend, with whom they had spent countless hours. I have also witnessed reunions of retired racers with their trainers, sometimes after many years. The reactions, by the dogs, were ones of joy and excitement, as they would nearly knock their trainers down, and lavish them with “kisses”. Dogs who have been mistreated don’t react that way when reunited with their abuser. When a dog is slowing down, because of age or any other reason, what would you suggest the trainers do with them? Just keep racing them, at the possible expense of the dog’s physical well-being? Euthanize them? What, Fred? The relationships between most adoption groups, and racing kennels, are wonderful ones, and it’s all about what’s best for the dogs. Why do you have to try to find fault with the most loving, caring way for racing greyhounds to transition into their new lives, as pets? And why do you insist on dancing around the subject, instead of giving me what I asked for? Name these dogs who have been abandoned!To quote you, “this is routinely what happens to them…”. Again, I will reference the dictionary. “Routine: habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure.” I am asking you to be accountable for your statement. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Fred Barton
April 15, 2018 at 10:04 am
OK, let’s be blunt about this. When it comes to adoption the industry is making a virtue out of necessity. We both know what would happen (what did happen, what is happening) to dogs if it weren’t for the bad press racing has gotten because of their treatment of greyhounds who can no longer make money for them. So they take advantage of people who suffer from chronic empathy and pat themselves on the back, when actually all they are doing is abandoning innocent healthy greyhounds. And yes it is abandonment because the adoption group has to pick up whatever the industry leaves them. Who pays for the medical exams? Who fixes injuries? Who sees the the dogs get their shots? Who searches for a forever home? The adoption groups of course. The industry has washed their hands of the dog and abdicated their humane responsibility.
Jeff White
April 10, 2018 at 4:10 pm
The Florida legislators have proven themselves incapable of dealing with the fallout from the huge mess they made years ago out of greyhound racing. If it takes a constitutional amendment to clean up that mess, and 60% of the voters agree in November, it will be a step forward for Florida.
Luis Dorticos
April 16, 2018 at 1:57 pm
wager often greyhound racing. They always look alert and ready at PBKC before race starts. A lot of betting is done in this country on thoroughbreds and wonder sometimes where a lot of these horses end up. I know that greyhounds dont race that long and most end up being adopted and cared for.
Joannie Foster
April 16, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Ok Fred. I will also be blunt. You need to stop wasting your energy trying to blow smoke up my ass! You see, unlike yourself, I have been in the kennels. I have been to the farms. I have seen, first hand, what goes on. I don’t base my feelings, or my comments, on what other people have “said” happens in these places. Regarding your comments on who pays for the dogs’ needs, once they retire; When picking up dogs from the track, I would often be given a check, by the racing kennel, as a donation to help offset those costs. Furthermore, I know of one racing kennel, in Florida, that just last week paid a substantial veterinary bill to repair an injury to one of the dogs in their care. That is NOT an isolated event, as I have seen it happen before. Yes, adoption groups usually pay for spays/neuters, and what is wrong with that? Reputable groups receive donations of which 100% goes to the care of the dogs. That’s an extreme contrast to what your organization spends on the dogs. In fact, that math equation is quite simple. Remove the zeros = 1%, and I’m being generous in crediting you with that number. We will never see eye to eye on any of this, as I speak from personal experience, and you don’t. I don’t oppose your opinions because they differ from mine. I oppose your opinions because that’s all they are. Opinions. This conversation started because I asked you for proof of abandonments of greyhounds when they are “injured, old, or sick”, because according to you, expert of nothing relating to greyhound racing, these abandonments “routinely happen”. I knew you couldn’t produce any proof, and you didn’t. The relationships between most adoption groups and racing kennels have evolved into those that work harmoniously for what is best for each individual dog. In dancing around the subject of proving your statement was true, you decided to side-step, and try to shoot down all that is good about those relationships. I find that ironic, for a group that is so concerned about the welfare of those dogs. (HUGE eye roll here) For my part, this dance is over. Until you’ve seen it, done it, or can offer tangible proof of it, don’t bother. I have better things to do than read your uninformed, uneducated opinions.
Fred Barton
April 16, 2018 at 3:58 pm
There’s a saying in statistics: The plural of anecdote is not data. I’m glad you haven’t seen instances of abuse in the kennels you have visited (if you are being truthful), but generalizing beyond your experience to all greyhound racing is faulty reasoning. When you read the reports and study the statistics of breeding, registration, and adoption (when you can find some) quite a different picture emerges. And no, the kennels don’t get a pass because they “offset” some of the costs for injured greyhounds. Not as long as they continue to exploit more greyhounds by putting them in harm’s way for a profit.
Andy
April 20, 2018 at 11:48 am
Thats funny, Chairman Beruff said he talked to the owner of PBKC and they MAKE money, no way they don’t when handle is 300k plus PER CARD. Newspapers merely spread your fraudulent claims, fat freddie
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