The end of greyhound racing in Florida: Not if, but when
January 18th, 2011 by admin
A recent article in the Miami Herald titled “A vanishing sport” was the latest confirmation that dog racing in Florida is doomed. The reporter visited Miami’s Flagler Dog Track, where she found “fewer than 100 people” in the grandstand that used to hold thousands. The slot machines in the adjoining Magic City Casino is where the action was. “Live racing is a money-loser,” Magic City’s general manager told the paper.
Recently there have also been reminders of why the end of dog racing can’t come soon enough. Last week the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation suspended the licenses of two well-known trainers (Richard and Casey Alves) at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club after their greyhounds tested positive for cocaine (the drug is believed by some to enhance performance).
On Sunday, the 27th International Canine Sports Medicine Symposium wrapped-up in Orlando. The two-day conference was sponsored in part by the National Greyhound Association, a racing industry group. Lectures at the conference- such as “Musculoskeletal challenges in treating racing greyhounds” and “Soft Tissue Injuries of the Shoulder in the Canine Athlete”- highlighted the serious, sometimes fatal injuries suffered by greyhounds.
The amount of money wagered on live racing continues to decline at Florida tracks, but Florida law requires tracks to run a minimum number of live races in order to operate the more-profitable slots and cardrooms. In the 2011 legislative session, ARFF will support efforts to change this requirement and disconnect greyhound racing from other forms of gambling.
Learn more about this and other efforts to eliminate dog racing in Florida and nationwide at a special event featuring Carey Theil, director of the greyhound advocacy organization GREY2K USA.
When: Tuesday, January 25, 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Sublime restaurant*, 1431 N. Federal Highway, Fort LauderdaleContact kenkath2@bellsouth.net for more information or to make reservations.
*Enjoy a wonderful vegan meal following the event. Guests will receive 15% off their dinner!