Florida Greyhound Association's Response to Sun Sentinel's Tougher Rules Sought for Racing Industry

I was disappointed the January 30 article “Tougher Rules Sought for Racing Industry” did not focus on real efforts in the Florida Legislature to better protect Greyhounds who race in dog tracks throughout the state.

The legislation sponsored by Senator Eleanor Sobel, which was mentioned in the article, does nothing to protect the wellbeing on these animals. Instead her bill begins the slippery slope of ending Live Greyhound racing in Florida and converting those 13 facilities across the state into casinos. So-called “Decoupling” subverts the will of Florida voters by not giving them the right to decide if casinos should be expanded statewide.

If you have the real interest of the dogs in mind, another piece of legislation, sponsored by Senator Chris Smith, addresses many of the concerns uncovered by the Sun-Sentinel’s investigation. His bill — Senate bill 252, the Greyhound Safety Act — stops injuries, provides immediate protection for the Greyhounds and modernizes a form of entertainment that dates back to Florida for more than a century.

The Florida Greyhound Association, the organization comprised of Greyhound racing owners, fully supports these needed reforms. By passing Senate bill 252, Floridians can be assured the state has racing Greyhound’s best interest in mind.

Jack Cory

Florida Greyhound Association