Arizona Greyhound Racing Amendment Advances to Senate

Arizona is one step closer to ending greyhound racing. Last week saw the passage of House Bill 2536,which will significantly reduce the number of days that live greyhound racing is required for a track to also operate simulcast betting.

With gambling on live racing in the state down by 75 percent in the last decade, the broadcasts of races taking place in other states are what brings in the money. HB 2536 would require 900 live races per year for a track to offer simulcast. The number is high, but current law requires a minimum of twice that amount.

Additionally, racing days would be allowed during weekdays for only 100 days per year. With races now running 50 weeks per year, the number of dogs suffering heat stroke can be greatly reduced.

Heat stroke is only one of a number of injuries a racing dog is risking. Broken bones, wounds and paralysis are among them. Some dogs die during the race. GREY2K USA has released video footage showing some injuries and death that occur on Arizona racetracks. One dog, Oxbow Savage, died from a crushed skull resulting from a dangerously wet track.

These incidents are not isolated. Almost 1,000 reported injuries occurred from 2001-2009 between the two operating tracks – Phoenix Greyhound Park (which closed in 2009) and Tucson Greyhound Park. A statement from one kennel worker in the GREY2K USA video shows the inherent dangers of greyhound racing: “I lost count of how many dogs I’ve crippled in the last two weeks.” How racing can continue while dogfighting is illegal due to its cruel nature is beyond me.

There is only one racing track still in operation in Arizona. To some, Tucson Greyhound Park is a black mark on the city of South Tucson. The largest source of the track’s income is through simulcast betting. Yet Tucson is exempt from paying taxes on simulcast bets.

Tucson Greyhound Park has a reputation for being the “end of the line” for racing dog careers. The race that took Oxbow Savage’s life was to be his last race before retirement. Animal welfare conditions have been questioned on a number of occasions, only to have the accusations shrugged off by CEO Tom Taylor.

A recent blog by End Tucson Greyhound Racing chronicles the many collisions that occurred last week. Many of these dogs are scheduled back on the track this week. The information was gathered from public record but the blog points out the glaring omissions as to the fates of at least five dogs.

Even though I would prefer to see Arizona ban greyhound racing outright, HB 2536 is one step in the right direction for an industry that's declining (pdf) as it is.

Fortunately, this bill also paves the way for Tucson Greyhound Park to end live racing altogether. In the meantime, the least we can do is reduce the number of races required at the Arizona dog track. If they could, I'm sure the dogs would thank us.

The bill is now before the Senate and GREY2K USA is working toward its passage, hoping it will be sent to the governor and signed into law.

Join GREY2K USA in asking Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to sign the greyhound bill into law.

Photo Credit: currybet