Greyhound racing-ban group releases first wave of endorsements

vote6

The Protect Dogs-Yes on 13 campaign Friday announced endorsements from over 20 local animal groups.

The group is promoting passage of Amendment 13, put on the November ballot by the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC).

The proposal, which needs no less than 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 12 tracks.

“These organizations serve as animal welfare first responders throughout the state, from the Panhandle to Key West,” the campaign said in a statement. “They rescue homeless animals, save lives, and provide an invaluable service to both animals and people in every community.”

“The animal sheltering community is united in our support of Amendment 13,” added Rich Anderson, Executive Director and CEO of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in West Palm Beach. “Greyhound racing is cruel and inhumane and should be phased out.”

The local animal shelters who announced endorsements are:

Alaqua Animal Refuge

Brevard Humane Society

Cat Depot

Flagler Humane Society

Florida Keys SPCA

First Coast No More Homeless Pets

Gulf Coast Humane Society

Halifax Humane Society

Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Humane Society of the Treasure Coast

Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County

Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue

Leon County Humane Society

Last Hope Rescue FL

Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League

Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando

SPCA Florida

SPCA Tampa Bay

St. Augustine Humane Society

Tampa Pets

Jim Rosica

Jim Rosica is the Tallahassee-based Senior Editor for Florida Politics. He previously was the Tampa Tribune’s statehouse reporter. Before that, he covered three legislative sessions in Florida for The Associated Press. Jim graduated from law school in 2009 after spending nearly a decade covering courts for the Tallahassee Democrat, including reporting on the 2000 presidential recount. He can be reached at [email protected].


39 comments

  • Not Welcome Here

    July 6, 2018 at 10:35 am

    Am I reading this correctly? The Yes on 13 Committee is being proudly endorsed by shelters who euthanize hundreds of healthy animals in Florida every day? Wow… Are they also shoveling money into the Yes on 13 coffer? Money that would be much better spent on the animals in those same shelters. I don’t know who is running this Yes on 13 campaign, but they are losing more and more support as the opposition is showing Florida how the racing greyhounds really live. I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that all of the horrible things that I have heard are either not true today, or are just utter lies put on from groups who don’t even live in Florida. What right do they have to come in here and lie to try to have OUR Constitution changed? Not to mention that what they did with stealing that artists videos and altering them was nothing short of disgusting. These people are losing support by the thousands, especially with the greyhound people showing the voters what kennel and track life is really like. I suspect that the support for these clowns will continue to dwindle, and 13 won’t even come close to being passed. These people need to pack their bags and go home. The people of Florida are seeing the true colors of this group more and more, while seeing the genuine nature of the people who love and care for the greyhounds. Go home Yes on 13- you’re not welcome here!!!

    • PJ

      July 7, 2018 at 4:14 am

      Who’s “not welcome here?”!!!!
      How do you know these groups even euthanize? These are rescues not municipal shelters.
      How can you pretend to care about animal welfare while attacking these rescuers who work tirelessly to help animals?
      That kinda blows your cover, doesn’t it?

      • Casey

        July 8, 2018 at 10:35 pm

        Halifax Humane society is a shelter! It’s On LPGA in Daytona Beach. You need to educate yourself! They take donations and use it for bullshit like this instead of taking care of the animals they receive! There has never been a greyhound placed into that place. They kill more pit bulls and stray cats in one month then the 12 tracks have in the last two decades!
        You don’t have to support greyhound racing or even like it but don’t believe lies and be fooled by con artists.

    • Julie

      July 7, 2018 at 11:10 am

      Not all those shelters euthanize healthy animals. If you visit your local private shelter, most only euthanize on health or temperament. Not because of adoptabililty factors such as age, looks or time at the shelter. In fact, most of these organizations help animal control by transferring animals from public shelters to theirs for no money. So please take the time and educate yourself before you bash these amazing organizations!!

      • Andy

        July 7, 2018 at 4:48 pm

        Take the time to educate yourself before you take lying scum like grey2k’s word for true. The lies and fraud perpetuated by them is a mile long. Ask yourself why are they affiliated with a terrorist organization like ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT, watch the video where dorkchak so tearfully recounts her ” accident ” while soliciting donations, yet in court has ” no memory “. These people are frauds

    • Andy

      July 8, 2018 at 6:06 pm

      You are spot on there sport, I have never run across such sickening scum in my life as these fraudsters. Destroying lives over greed. To see the truth all one needs to do is watch paint the trail videos. Would abused dogs be so HAPPY?

  • Diane

    July 6, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    As a Floridian Volunteering on the adoption side for a decade and seeing so may dogs retired in poor condition and with injuries, often untreated, I’ll be voting Yes on 13.

  • Ana "Spike" Machado

    July 6, 2018 at 1:03 pm

    The so called ” Not Welcome Here” with the reflected comment above has absolutely no clue what they are talking about. You say you don’t know who is running the say YES ON 13 campaign? WE ARE!!! ME and the other greyhound rescuers like myself. Obviously, you are one of the trainers who will have to get a real and decent job once you lose the one you currently have; abusing these wonderful and docile animals for racing profit. You should do your homework before you speak…..the ones losing support are you and your cronies….. YOU DON’T HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING THIS ONE……There are more of us than there are of you. Give it up and get a job….

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 6:19 am

      You mean the WE ARE who is crowing about 70%? When it’s really 47-36 and falling, another greed2scum shill

  • C Osborn

    July 6, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    I’m always curious about what motivates people to respond. So I’ll tell you, I work in greyhound rescue and I can tell you from first hand knowledge and experience that Greyhounds are abused, they are kept in locked up 20 hours a day. Are all trainers and breeders abusive? I can answer that, what I can tell you is look at your own statistics. Dogs are drugged, die on the track, and greyhound proponents won’t report deaths at the farms, or from training.

    People are always saying that the racing community loves and cares for the greys……really. Would you risk your pet on a $2.00 bet, to win a purse. The hard truth is that it’s all about making money on the greys racing. If they win they live if they lose they die (unless they are lucky enough to be adopted.

    Call a rescue Not given money by the NGA and see what they say. I hope Florida will join one of the other 40 states and Guam that have banned greyhound racing. Vote Yes on 13.

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 5:56 am

      That last line shows the ignorance you possess, ONE state bans any dog racing, Idaho, it is THE BETTING that is banned. As for your claims, as always you offer no evidence, just more lies.

    • Ann-Marie

      July 9, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      Do that….ask a group that gets no money from the NGA…like the greyhound adoption group I work with. We get no money from the NGA. We get retired racers from multiple kennels and tracks. The dogs we get are healthy, fit, lean, retired athletes. Abused? Nope! Sorry if your experience has been other than that, but you should really stop listening to the talking heads and actually GO TO THE TRACKS YOURSELF. See with your own eyes. Athletes that well built don’t come from sitting in a crate all day. Just defies logic.

  • Yaggle

    July 6, 2018 at 1:27 pm

    This comment sure sounds like someone from the Greyhound racing industrial complex trying to divert attention away from the abuse of the dogs that they commit daily. We’re not falling for it. We know how the dogs are treated in your kennels and racetracks. The voters of Florida will finally say No to confinement, No to forced injuries, No to Greyhound racing.

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 6:59 am

      Read that ‘ forced injuries’ these people are frauds

  • Karen Greb

    July 6, 2018 at 1:53 pm

    Nice try Not Welcome Here. The truth is that there is a huge groundswell of support rising in support of Amendment 13. The above are only the animal organizations that have signed on – there are many, many more. The Humane Societies have been around a long time, and they know all the dirty facts behind the greyhound dog racing business. The fact is that there have been nearly 500 deaths reported by the States’ Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering since it started tracking greyhound deaths in 2013. This only encompasses deaths on track premises, not off premises. Due to greyhound industry resistance, Florida is one of only two states that does not publicly report greyhound injuries. The only county that tracks this (Seminole) began tracking injuries in May 2017. Since then, 68 greyhound injuries have been reported, including 53 that suffered broken bones and three dogs that died. These documented facts are only the tip of the iceberg of grievances against the greyhound dog racing industry. According to a study commissioned by the Florida legislature, as a Florida taxpayer I am subsidizing this cruel industry between $1 million and $3.3 million each year. Enough is enough greyhound dog racing industry – you are Not Welcome Here. Vote YES on Amendment 13.

    • Not Welcome Here

      July 6, 2018 at 2:18 pm

      You mean the same HSUS who employs criminals and sexual predators? That HSUS? What a joke. Seems the the people who are opposing 13 have their act together much more than than the yes crowd. I’m hearing more and more voters who have said that since learning that the greyhounds are treated well, and are adopted when they retire. You may not like it, but greyhound racing in Florida isn’t going anywhere. Tell your friends to pack their bags and get out of our state, otherwise we will just show them the door

      • Andy

        July 7, 2018 at 7:04 am

        It’s hilarious seeing Dorkchak on here whining about defamatory statements that are true. ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT

    • steve grabarczyk

      July 6, 2018 at 2:25 pm

      Nice try Karen, the people of FL will see right through your lies and deceit. Your friends at G2k will need real jobs after this is through. Ok let start 1-Why do YOU avoid telling people to go see the abuse for themselves at the kennels?

      2-There have been nowhere near your made up 500# (even the “Worldwide Leader in LIES” site has a lower number. Take out half of those due to non racing related death(again a statistic on your mothership site) and you have a number WAY smaller then those as pets die every year.

      3- On your site you have this and I Quote “Greyhound breeders claim cocaine positives are from environmental contamination, a ridiculous theory that has never been proven in a single case.” Karen do YOU know what a court “Finding of FACTS” is? Of course not because you guys don’t deal in facts. So to refute the BLATANT LIE on you Protect Dogs site here ya go, from a REAL judge and TWO EXPERTS.
      #1 “29. Dr. Cynthia Cole is a veterinarian and pharmacologist,
      who acted as the director of the UF Lab from 2003 to 2006.
      Dr. Cole testified that BZE and EME are “naturally occurring
      substances,” in the strict sense that they are metabolites of
      cocaine and would be naturally produced by any animal that has
      ingested cocaine.

      30. Dr. Cole also conceded that levels of cocaine below
      100 (ng/mL) would be very unlikely to have any effect on a
      racing animal’s performance, and that such low levels could be
      the result of environmental contamination. Of the 24 positive
      tests cited against Petitioners, the highest concentration of a
      cocaine metabolite was 36.5 ng/mL. Even that appeared to be an
      outlier, as most of the concentrations were in the range of 10
      to 15 ng/mL.”

      #2 “31. Dr. Thomas Tobin, a veterinarian, pharmacologist, and
      toxicologist, testified that trace amounts of cocaine are
      present virtually everywhere in North American human society.
      Dr. Tobin stated that less than 50 ng/mL of urinary BZE is
      indicative of nothing more than that the subject lives in North
      America. Dr. Tobin testified that a very small concentration of
      cocaine metabolites in the urine is likely attributable to
      environmental contamination. Dr. Tobin stated that when the
      concentration is below pharmacological significance, it should
      not be called a positive. He noted that in human drug testing,
      a sample is first screened at 150 ng/mL and then confirmed at
      100 ng/mL, at which point it is reported as positive. Dr. Tobin
      could think of no scientific reason why there should be a
      regulatory reporting threshold for humans but not for racing
      animals.”

      Those two comments by trained professionals are called FACTS, something you and the organization you speak of know nothing about.

      I could post way more like Kate McFalls lying before the CRC on WW Flicka but I want to save the good stuff for later. What was that ridiculous theory again?????

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 6:37 am

      Notice the liar doesn’t mention the ” many, many more” who they are

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 8:48 am

      ‘ A huge groundswell of support’ that’s why there is a whopping 20_30 people at your kick-off meetings…..right?

  • steve grabarczyk

    July 6, 2018 at 2:41 pm

    Oh Karen what about one of those urine samples that Yes 13 mentions in that lie from the site that contained NO DOG DNA and was perpetrated while one the current Lobbyists for the organization was head of the State Department that regulates those samples. Why did he quit after the split sample was ordered to be tested????

    These are not OPINIONS I am posting, these are FACTS from reputable third parties and scientific FACTS. How can anyone believe what you or your friends say?

  • Lori Bruce

    July 6, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    When I attended a greyhound adoption session, I was told that greyhounds come with a bit of “princess factor” because they are used to having someone attend to their every need. My greyhound barks at me when he wants a massage! These dogs are very well cared for during their careers and they love to run. Please vote No on amendment 13.

    • Lucy

      July 6, 2018 at 4:35 pm

      Can’t agree with you more, Lori Bruce, as one who is related to someone who has many contacts with Breeders, Kennel Owners and Trainers. These greys are better cared for than most people know. Before one makes their selection, be sure to get the FACTS and go visit a Kennel operation yourself, go meet and talk with trainers/owners. Sure there’s injuries in every sports. Race car drivers die, too, so we gonna ban ALL sports for that matter – football; baseball; baseball; Jai Alai; horse racing, car racing, etc. Get educated and so see yourself “behind the scenes”. These dogs are pampered racing pets. You’d be surprised to find out what you didn’t know. They know no abuse but love to run. Seriously – to look at them. They don’t get that muscular and athletic-looking by being locked up in a cage any more than you sitting in front of your tv as a couch potato hoping to look like Nasser El Sonbaty. How ridiculous !! Vote NO on Amendment 13 or remain clueless and ignorant.

  • Seriously

    July 6, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    Be careful throwing around the word “fact” and be even more careful believing it. Here’s a fact: Phrases like “could be” and “is likely to” are not facts. They are opinions. Here’s another fact: “Expert witness” testimony is still only one person’s opinion, not automatically fact, and here’s another fact: Expert witnesses can be and usually are PAID for their testimony, by the group that hired them. That is why expert witnesses often conflict with one another. They are hired by opposing sides.

    The real facts are in the statistics. And those, pal, have already been published by PROTECT DOGS: YES on 13.

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 8:39 am

      Statistics that they twist all around and take out of context, wonder why the BBB dropped HSUS, hmmmm. Frauds, the lot of you. Notice how NASCAR is on the hotel NO side? That’s bigger than all your INHUMANE shelters combined, let’s not forget ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 10:42 am

      Well liar, it is a Fact that drug test contained MO CANINE DNA, It is a FACT the judge saw fit to throw it out. It is a FACT Dorkchak is a documented LIAR, it is a FACT grey2scam is aligned with ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT. It is a FACT NASCAR chose to get behind the real Greyhound protectors. You can have the endorsement of healthy animal killers

  • Vote No on 13

    July 7, 2018 at 12:48 am

    That’s funny… The Yes on 13 people are proudly promoting endorsements from high kill shelters, who kill hundreds of animals daily, and do not even encounter greyhounds, since they have their own adoption groups. Are these shelters also funding this ridiculous movement? If so, then they are literally taking funds donated by Florida Voters and siphoning them into radical activist groups instead of using these funds to care for the animals in their shelters.
    At the same time, the Committee to Support Greyhounds is picking up NASCAR endorsements…

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/supportgreyhounds/permalink/412651035809985/

    #Sorrynotsorry Yes on 13 affiliates, you better get some goggles, your already downward descent is already looking pretty mucky…

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 5:51 am

      Very well said, Nascar fans are composed of hard working, honest productive citizens and the most loyal in sports. There will be a groundswell of support for the REAL PROTECTORS OF GREYHOUNDS. No doubt many find it ludicrous for the grey2scum crowd to crow about endorsements who kill hundreds if not thousands of healthy animals on a daily basis. Let’s remind everyone that grey2scum is aligned with terrorist ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT< THAT THEY WERE IMPLICATED IN A BLACKMAIL SCHEME IN WEST VIRGINIA< THAT THEY SPEND LESS THAN 1% OF DONATIONS ON ANY ANIMAL WHILE PAYING THE 2 HEAD LIARS STIEL AND DORKCHAK OVER 100K a year.. The drug tests they crow about were thrown out in court as this sham is liable to be, They are criminals, simple as that

  • tom

    July 7, 2018 at 11:36 am

    What about horse racing, horses die on the track too, in training, in stalls , on farms, etc..
    What about zoo’s, we take animals from there natural habitat and put them in cages and glass rooms, and tell our kids,” its ok this is educational “. It gives people jobs to care for caged animals….? This amendment 13 sounds like there are other motives behind it , or a “hidden agenda”. Mankind has been using animals for Food, sport, science , entertainment for centuries, if not longer. So why attack a one industry? There has to be something Bigger than Grey2k and the Humane Society behind this….

    • Andy

      July 7, 2018 at 11:57 am

      Correct you are sir, that something is casino interests

    • Don't Be Fooled

      July 7, 2018 at 1:14 pm

      You are 100% correct. This is nothing more than a back door way to turn the greyhound tracks into mini casinos. This is how the crooked politicians are attempting to eliminate greyhound racing, while allowing the facities to operate under the pari mutual licenses that are owned by the greyhounds. Don’t fall for it… Don’t roll the dice on #Unlucky13

  • Brian Wilson

    July 7, 2018 at 11:40 am

    22 groups listed here who euthanize / kill an average of 2 animals per day. 44 animals in total every day. 16,060 animals per year. And they have the stones to call greyhound racing inhumane?

  • Wendi tremblay

    July 9, 2018 at 11:23 am

    To Diane, who claims she has seen greyhounds Retired in poor condition… where from? Did you report the perhaps few individuals who may be involved? We’re they truly in poor shape or just showing 4 ribs as a healthy greyhound should? I have been adopting greyhounds since 1993 and all have been off the track less than a week and all were healthy and well cared for. The track kennels I have taken the opportunity to visit in the last 2 years are clean and the greyhounds get a good diet. They have a 99% adoption rate with the others staying with their owners or having puppies. This is better than any kill shelter’s rate. I do not fault the kill shelters for these percentages. Rather, I fault groups and the media who are pushing to end racing who would do a better job if they would use their massive fund banks to help with spay/neuter clinics so boxes of unadoptable dogs are not constantly dumped on these shelters, stressing their staff. Greyhounds today are well cared for! If there is a lone individual who doesn’t, then they need to be removed from the sport. Don’t damn a whole industry for what a very few people may do. Other false facts…. one of every 3 racing days does NOT see a fatality. (Note, these groups fought positive changes like improved track conditions which would enhance safety)! They are not kennels 23 hours! How could they run well if this was done. I am not in this industry, but I know owners and trainers and they do this because they love these dogs….. please do not put 10,000 greyhounds and 5,000 greyhound puppies homeless and jobless at once! Our adoption groups cannot absorb that, and they have NEVER received a penny from any of these “Anti” groups. How can they claim to be FOR these greyhounds and yet be OK with euthanizing possibly thousands to get to their goal?! I just don’t get it. They are High energy when young….. let them run! NO on 13! You must understand greyhounds …. they love to chase! If you compare them to other breeds, you don’t understand racers!
    NO – ON – 13 !!!!!

    • Andy

      July 9, 2018 at 12:31 pm

      Never any specifics, only ” I have seen” They are interested in one thing…. donations

  • CatsNDogs

    July 9, 2018 at 6:49 pm

    Yawn. Most of these comments are pretty desperate and scream GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRY a little too loudly. Wow I can use all caps too! None of it hides the facts we all know too well, that a greyhound dies an average of every three days, they are routinely rescued by reputable rescue groups with proof (vet records, photos) with untreated injuries from racing and neglect. Two separate CFL news media investigations in 2018 uncovered hundreds of missing records of greyhounds “lost” in your system with no paper trail. They must be terrorists and liars too! Say you care all you want, keep telling yourselves they’re well cared for, name call & attack away, no one is buying it. We’re too busy getting everyone ready to VOTE YES ON 13!

    • Andy

      July 9, 2018 at 10:26 pm

      Let’s see some of that proof, we have proof dorchak is a liar and aligned with ANIMAL LIBERATION FRONT

  • Andy

    July 9, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    Oh and Stephen, how exactly are the paint the trail videos staged? They train the dogs to be happy, wagging tails, all happy. Then after the camera is off they start beating them again right?

    • Francesca

      July 9, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      To all you vegan anti NRA weirdos, your group was deserted at hob nob tonight while ours was slammed. Nobody is buying it huh, well, keep getting endorsements from killers of healthy animals, we will take NASCAR any day

Comments are closed.


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