Thirty-two dead Greyhounds were recently found at Florida's Ebro Greyhound Park and five more dogs were found just barely alive, with their throats and mouths wrapped with duct tape.
The racing industry is fundamentally incapable of treating its Greyhounds humanely. The dogs are generally confined to cages when not competing and injuries like broken legs and paralysis are commonplace.
Many states have banned this exploitive "sport." In fact, Florida is one of only seven states in which dog racing still exists.
Urge Congress to support the end of Greyhound racing in Florida.
Dear [Decision Maker],
I am opposed to the cruelty inflicted on Greyhound dogs used by the racing industry. Recently, 32 dogs were allowed to die at the end of a racing season at Ebro Park; five other dogs barely survived after having their throats and mouths wrapped in duct tape.
[Your comments will be inserted here.]
Please consider the following:
- Dogs are confined for many hours each day in small cages, fed substandard food, receive little veterinary care, and are often seriously injured when racing.
- It costs more to regulate dog racing in Florida than the tracks contribute to the state in revenue.
- Other forms of gambling are more popular and produce revenue for the state, and these businesses do not subject our canine friends to cruelty.
- Racing is a dying sport. In the last decade, it has been reduced by half nationwide, with only seven states now operating 23 tracks (compared to 15 states and 50 tracks in 2001). How many more dogs must suffer before it ends in Florida?
- The state can continue to prosecute acts of animal cruelty when they are discovered, but that is expensive and can negatively impact local community budgets. It would be better to prevent suffering than handle it after it has occurred.
Greyhound racing is cruel, does not contribute anything to our state and should be halted. I urge you to take steps to ban Greyhound racing in Florida when the Legislature meets in 2011.
