Orlando, Fla. — Greyhound racing is officially ending in Florida as a series of new laws go into effect on January 1st.
The state’s final race will take place at the Palm Beach Kennel Club tonight at 11:59 p.m.
The new law banning live dog racing is the result of the passage of Amendment 13 that was approved by voters in 2018.
Most of Florida’s tracks began closing throughout 2020, including Melbourne Greyhound Park and the Sanford Orlando Kennel Club, as managers began adopting out dogs at their facilities.
But one Florida greyhound adoption group tells WDBO, not all of the dogs are going into retirement with loving new owners.
Listen to Katrina Scales’ report below, which aired on Orlando’s Morning News.
The end of live dog racing in Florida leaves just four tracks in three states (West Virginia, Arkansas and Iowa) still in operation.
Many healthy greyhounds making their final laps in the Sunshine State today will likely be shipped to kennel clubs in those states, according to a Florida adoption group that requested to remain anonymous in fear of retribution from the National Greyhound Association.
“It’s just a revenge thing,” the adoption owner told reporter Katrina Scales.
It’s allegedly a common practice for the National Greyhound Association to discriminate against adoption groups that take an anti-racing stance by refusing to provide dogs to their shelter.
Pat Rooney, Jr., the President of Palm Beach Kennel Club tells CBS12-TV in West Palm Beach they want to have 100% of their racing dogs adopted.
“That’s gonna be the goal; to get 100 percent [of the greyhounds adopted],” says Rooney tells CBS12-TV. “I’m really confident we’re gonna get there.”
Currently there are very few former racing greyhounds currently available for adoption in Florida and requests in northern states reportedly exceed the number of dogs being released by the four tracks.
If you can’t adopt a retired greyhound, consider donating to a local greyhound adoption group.
Funds will help cover the cost of treating their fleas, worms and injuries, and shipping them to new homes.
Cox Media Group
