On Saturday, July 2, Tucson Greyhound Park in Arizona held its last live dog race after 72 years. Just weeks before, Governor Doug Ducey signed bills ending live dog racing in the state.
Track spokesman Michael Racy said attendance at the dog track, which has operated continuously since it opened in 1944, has steadily declined since casino gambling came along. “In the 1980s, dog racing was very, very popular with big crowds. As a student at the University of Arizona, I’d go. There was a great restaurant and it was a really fun way to spend a Saturday night.”
Racy said the track’s owners, Joseph Zappala and Philip Robert Consolo Jr. of Florida, are still deciding what to do with the 60-acre property. In the meantime it will remain open and continue to offer simulcast racing.
Racy stated the dogs soon will leave to go to a greyhound rescue group or an out-of-state racing venue. Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption Operations Director Renee Bennett said the organization has taken in more than 50 dogs. “Because we have taken in many more hounds than normal, it will take us a while to find suitable forever homes. Once we have adopted out most of those hounds, we plan to take hounds from the track in Tijuana.”
