Florida Votes to Ban Greyhound Racing

Florida voters passed Amendment 13 by a margin of 69 percent to 31 percent during the midterm elections yesterday. The proposition effectively bans greyhound dog racing in the state—where 11 of the country’s remaining 17 racing tracks currently operate. The proposition was spearheaded by nonprofit GREY2K USA Worldwide, and supported by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Doris Day Animal League. Since the state began tracking dog deaths in 2013, greyhound racing in Florida has resulted in the deaths of 493 dogs, most of whom were under the age of three. “In a single county, Seminole, since May 2017, 87 greyhound injuries have been reported, including 64 greyhounds who suffered broken bones and five dogs who died,” HSUS president Kitty Block said. “The demise of this industry, built on the suffering of animals, couldn’t have come a moment sooner.” Under the new legislation, all Florida racing tracks must phase out greyhound races by December 31, 2020. Local shelters and protection groups are working to re-home the state’s approximately 8,000 actively racing greyhounds and 7,000 dogs in training, including the Greyhound Adoption Action Alliance, which outlined a plan to ensure that the animals are retired ethically.