The truth and facts about live greyhound racing in Florida
Mark Twain is credited by some as saying: A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.
Live greyhound racing is good for Florida and good for the greyhounds!
Over $80 million was bet on live greyhound racing at the tracks last year, with no reported compulsive gambling. Over $2 billion was bet at out-of-state Advanced Deposit Wagering facilities, untaxed and unregulated, a portion on live greyhound racing in Florida.
Eleven million dollars was generated in state revenue, over 3,000 Florida jobs, and over 8,000 beautiful greyhounds with over 95 percent adopted to loving families or returned to the farms to live out their lives.
These are the standards for the “no kill” animal movement.
The “false” information is being put forth by very radical out-of-state animal rights groups and their misinformed supporters, that take care of NO animals in Florida. They are the same groups that put on the sad puppy commercials over the holidays. They use this “false” information for fundraising, not to take care of any animals in Florida!
These groups support the high-kill animal shelters in Florida that will kill 250,000 pets this year, that is over 700 today.
Greyhounds are well trained and well treated. Greyhound owners do not get paid unless the greyhound comes in first, second, third or fourth in a race. Therefore, greyhound owners take immense pride in ensuring that greyhound athletes receive the very best treatment.
Everything from the size of the crate, the quantity and quality of food, veterinary care to the amount of walking, exercises and play time is closely monitored for optimum athletic performance. The greyhound’s performance puts food on the tables for the trainers, owners and breeders and their families. Some of the greyhound men and women have been in the industry for generations. They love their animals and love their jobs.
The State of Florida inspects all greyhound kennels at all tracks. The Florida Greyhound Association and the National Greyhound Association have zero tolerance for any animal abuse.
One animal dying prematurely is too many, but all athletes, human or animal can get injuries and even die. In order to avoid this, the greyhound owners have proposed a 3-point safety bill that would have eliminated the vast majority of deaths and injuries at the track, but the hypocritical animal rights people oppose it.
John Adams, the second president of the U.S. said, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
Jack Cory is with Public Affairs Consultants Inc. in Tallahassee. He represents members of the Florida Greyhound Association. His column appears courtesy of FloridaPolitics.com.
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