A Group Of Miami-Dade Business Owners Joins Forces In Support Of Amendment 13

MIAMI, Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A bill on the November 6, 2018 General Election ballot is causing quite a commotion among a strong and connected group of Miami business owners and supporters of animal rights, who vehemently oppose dog racing. The group is working to get the word out and gain support for Florida Amendment 13, which if passed, will ban commercial greyhound racing in the state by 2020. One of eight measures going before Florida voters on November 6, the bill was placed on the ballot by the state's Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), which meets every 20 years to propose changes to the state's constitution. The amendment received a 27-10 vote and was sponsored by CRC member, Senator Tom Lee of Thonotosassa.

With the General Election right around the corner and 11 of the 18 dog-racing tracks in the U.S. being located right here in Florida, the group of Miami business owners feels that there's still very little knowledge among state voters on the issue.

"We need to educate the community about this important bill on the ballot in November's election as the practice of dog-racing is cruel, abusive and archaic; it is out of sync with society's values toward animals," said Sonya Hadrigan, chairwoman of Dog Lovers of Florida, www.dogloversofflorida.org, who is heading the group. "As a Florida native, dog lover and supporter of animal rights, I am shocked and saddened that this "sport" continues in such a progressive state."

Almost a century ago, in 1931, the Florida State Legislature passed a law to allow wagering on horse racing and dog racing.  This was a time before civilization concerned itself with the welfare of animals; however, the legislation remains in effect today, to the detriment, maltreatment and negligence of the dogs.  Common injuries suffered by race dogs include broken necks and backs, dislocations, torn muscles and paralysis. Electrocutions have also occurred while greyhounds race, and make contact with a track's high voltage lure. Some dogs die on the racetrack while others are put down due to the severity of their injuries, or often simply because of their diminished value as racers.

"Greyhounds don't have a chance…" says Hadrigan. "From the time they are born, these friendly and loving dogs are forced to spend most of their time alone, locked up in warehouse-style kennels," she added, in reference to the kennels with rows of double–stacked cages, where greyhounds are kept for 20-23 hours daily.

Although in 2013 the State of Florida began to require the racing industry to report deaths at the tracks or racing kennel, it does not require them to report injuries. Thousands of greyhounds are bred annually—many more than are needed to race—in an attempt to create the fastest dogs.

Of the 12 dog-racing tracks in the state of Florida, there is one in Miami-Dade, one in Broward, one in West Palm Beach, two in the Orlando area, and two in the Naples, Ft. Myers area. In Florida, approximately 8,000 dogs are being used for the sport. Dog Lovers of Florida, as well as other organizations and businesses in support of the measure, have committed to finding homes for these animals. 

A "YES" vote for Amendment 13 would mean that the voter is supporting the prohibition of wagering on live dog races, including greyhound races, and the ban of dog races, in the state of Florida. The group is urging the community that cares about dogs and greyhounds, to help them get the word out, by using the hashtag: #voteYESon13 on Social Media, with the link to the explanation on the Amendment: https://ballotpedia.org/ Florida_Amendment_13,_Ban_on_ Wagering_on_Dog_Races_ Amendment_(2018)

Contact: Peyton Sadler, 305-631-2283

SOURCE Dog Lovers of Florida

Related Links

http://www.dogloversofflorida.org

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