Florida state senators Don Gaetz and Tom Lee recently co-introduced legislation to “prohibit wagering on greyhound or other dog races.” Both members of the Constitutional Revision Committee, their proposed bill would amend the Florida constitution to end greyhound racing. The committee convened early this year.
Gaetz called greyhound racing “a cruel, abusive practice.” He noted when he was Senate president he had proposed legislation to ban greyhound racing two times, but both times the bills passed the Senate and failed in the House. Gaetz said then-House Speaker Will Weatherspoon had been reluctant to have a companion bill to his legislation since that would have allowed expanded-gambling amendment proposals. “He was afraid we could move from a very humane bill about greyhounds to amended legislation creating a dramatic expansion of casino gambling. It was a real tragedy we couldn’t get a clean bill banning greyhound racing passed,” Gaetz said.
Gaetz said the Constitution Revision Commission “seems like a better environment for this proposal” because he and Lee can control the wording of amendment without others being added. A majority of Florida residents would have to approve the amendment.
“I think this is great news for the amendment that Don Gaetz has signed on,” said Grey2K US Executive Director Carey Theil, who has worked for years to get greyhound racing banned in Florida. He said Gaetz is a “heavy hitter” who could help improve the chances of the constitutional amendment passing the full commission.
Greyhound racing was introduced in Florida in 1992. Today the state is home to 12 operating greyhound racetracks. Opponents have said the popularity of greyhound racing has significantly dropped, and hundreds of dogs are injured or killed each year because holding races allows track owners to legally offer more lucrative card rooms and slots.
