Staff Reports
Photo: Van Abernethy
The group representing Florida’s greyhound owners and breeders is renewing its pledge not to go ‘negative’ in its battle against a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at outlawing betting on dog racing.
The Committee to Support Greyhounds, a separate political group formed to fight the ban, has issued no similar pledge, however. But it has dedicated itself to “spotlighting the amount of love and care that goes into the breeding and raising of racing greyhounds and educating the public about these amazing athletes and pets.”
Meantime, backers of the ban have come out with another policy ‘white paper‘ to sway voters, who will decide the amendment on the November statewide ballot.
The ban needs at least 60 percent approval to be added to the constitution. In Florida, live dog racing is still conducted at 12 tracks.
Despite the promises, some observers have privately likened the battle over the amendment to be as knock-down-drag-out till November as the fight over alimony reform that roiled recent Legislative Sessions. Those efforts died.
The Florida Greyhound Association now is reminding its members and others of a May 27 Facebook post, basically urging “every Greyhound person” to go high when others go low.
“How great would it be if every Greyhound person in Greyhound Nation would post a positive picture a day and not comment on negative F B (Facebook) posts, because F B then reposts them and they get more views? 
🐾🐾”
The post ends with the hashtags, “#BePositiveOrBegone” and #FightingForGreyhoundNation,” and is followed by dozens of photos, mostly of (adorable) retired race dogs.
It also commands the Legislature to “specify civil or criminal penalties for violations … and for activities that aid or abet violations” of the amendment.
If passed this year, the measure takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.
The association and its president, James Blanchard, also has filed suit against the amendment in Leon County. A bench trial before Circuit Judge Karen Gievers has been set for July 26.
Among other claims, the complaint says the ballot title and summary “… fail to inform voters that its passage would essentially expand gambling by allowing pari-mutuel facilities in Florida to convert to mini-casinos.”
The amendment bans the placing of bets on racing greyhounds or other dogs. It doesn’t affect any other gambling now going on at dog tracks, such as card games.
Last week, Protect Dogs – Yes on 13, the group that supports passage of the amendment, issued a “memo of fact on greyhound confinement at Florida racetracks,” saying dogs are confined for 20-23 hours per day. (That memo, backed by sourcing that includes “key dog racing defenders” is here.)
9 comments
Joe T
June 25, 2018 at 11:26 am
the White Paper put out by the scammers doesnt mention the time spent training outside the crates and the rest is taken out of context, They need to find different lies because this has been proven false time and time again, Visit a kennel for yourself and see the true facts, not the alternative ones, they dont get the athletic body they have by sitting in a crate 20-23 hours a day, anyone with brain cells would know that.
How much time does the animals sit in cages at the Humane Society? Dont believe the lies Vote No on 13
Aaron
June 25, 2018 at 4:55 pm
UM greyhounds don’t get skinny because you exercise them…
It’s the horrendous injuries and culture of disposing unprofitable dogs that’s the real issue. Putting animals in harms way isn’t entertainment it’s cruel.
rh
June 28, 2018 at 4:15 pm
“culture of disposing unprofitable dogs” since when is adopting ex-racers as a success rate of 95% disposing?
Michael W
June 25, 2018 at 11:59 am
It seems the sources are from racing insiders. Were they caught in a moment of truth?
Joe T
June 25, 2018 at 5:30 pm
taking out of context, you can twist anything you want but it makes it a lie like the Save the Dogs people do. Be an informed voter and actually go visit a track and tour a kennel and you will see for yourself what they are saying is nothing but lies
Aaron
June 25, 2018 at 6:46 pm
How is it out of context? The statements put themselves in context.
Nice try.
Craig Laginess
June 26, 2018 at 7:03 am
Aaron, keep drinking the Grey2k and HSUS koolaid. All of my retired greyhounds sleep 16+ hours per day. Go to a greyhound kennel and track unannounced and you’ll see how humanely they are treated. I urge all of my family and friends in Florida to vote NO on 13.
Juliana G Robertson
June 26, 2018 at 8:32 am
The white paper is full of nonsense. I have visited numerous racing kennels across the country. They do not confine animals for 23 hours a day. Simply does not happen. If they did, it would be impossible for them to perform at the levels that they do. Adopters across the country figured this out ages ago. This white paper is just meant to play on the emotions of people who know nothing about greyhounds or racing. People who do know do not support ending racing. If you are going to vote to destroy racing and the greyhound breed in America, at least educate yourself.
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July 5, 2018 at 3:51 pm
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