Calling all Florida animal advocates and dog lovers. Help is needed today.
Just over the bridge from Jacksonville in Orange Park, Florida is a large greyhound racetrack. While everyone realizes the revenue brought in by gamblers who frequent this facility is needed, the need for actual dog racing is minimal at best. Today the Florida Senate is voting on CS/CS/SB 1594, and we need to speak out today to tell them to please pass what is being called the dog track poker bill. (The House bill related to this was passed last week.)
This bill will remove the requirement that there be live dog racing going on in order to have other forms of legalized gambling. Since it's the gambling that draws the crowds, the need for the actual dog races is simply not there. The state of Florida has 13 of the remaining 23 dog tracks in this country, so change in our state will have a huge impact across the country. It's time to finally stop the madness of dog racing.
Public opinion regarding greyhound racing has been turning recently in favor of abolishing it completely. The cruelty inflicted on these fragile dogs and the empty lives they lead have been coming to light, causing the public to realize the hidden dark side of dog racing. Dog tracks around the globe have been shutting down and the dogs retired to loving homes.
Greyhounds are like race horses – only the fastest and the best are kept, and the others "culled". This is done by sometimes allowing the unwanted dogs (or those injured or "used up" from racing) to go to adoptive homes. But those homes are rare. Many times these sweet-natured, gentle dogs are euthanized, sometimes in cruel and brutal ways.
Those that "make the cut" and become racers live a life that is truly ugly. They usually live in small crates with little human interaction, virtually no love and only the basics of medical care. Their lifespan on the track is limited and injuries are frequent. Anyone who has ever met a greyhound (or Galgo, the Spanish name) can attest to the fact that they are very gentle and loving, totally devoted and just want to be part of a family. Former racing dogs can be eased into an adoptive home that has other animals and once bonded with those other family members, the bond is unbreakable.
Breeders and greyhound race dog owners are not happy about this bill, but the glory days of dog racing are in the past, and the future is one without dog racing anywhere.
Please take a few minutes today and contact your Florida state Senator and let him/her know that you want a "yes" vote on SB 1594. Gambling such as poker will still be allowed, but live dog racing will no longer be a requirement. It's a win/win proposition for both the people who enjoy gambling and the dogs who so desperately need to be set free from this life of racing.
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