Greyhound trainer goes to prison; you can help end an abusive industry
October 21st, 2011 by admin
Yesterday, greyhound trainer Ronnie Williams was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to 39 counts of felony animal cruelty. Williams was arrested in October 2010 after 34 greyhounds were found starved to death inside kennels at the Ebro Greyhound Park (located north of Panama City). An additional five dogs were alive, but severely malnourished.
Williams received the maximum penalty (five years) for each count, but the judge ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. We think Williams deserved more than five years in prison, but there is some justice in the fact that he will not get credit for the one year he has already spent in jail.
Mr. Williams’ crimes were among the worst in the history of greyhound racing in Florida, but he certainly was not the first trainer to subject racing greyhounds to cruel treatment, and he likely won’t be the last. Thankfully, a bill has been introduced for the 2012 legislative session that could mean the end of greyhound racing in Florida. Senate Bill 382, introduced by Senators Maria Sachs and Don Gaetz would remove the requirement that dog tracks conduct live racing in order to also offer slots or poker. If passed, many tracks in Florida would almost certainly choose to end live racing to focus on more profitable forms of gambling. (During fiscal year 2010-11 at the Ebro Greyhound Park, the cardroom took in almost three times as much money as live racing.)
Please contact your state representative and senator and ask them to support Senate Bill 382. This very important bill could help thousands of greyhounds.
Click here to find your elected officials.
The 2012 legislative session will begin on January 10, 2012. Visit ARFF’s website for updates on animal protection legislation.