FLORIDA: SB 1594 & HB 1145- GREYHOUND RISK-SEE UPDATE 5/5/2011

SEE UPDATE 5/5/2011.  THIS BILL HAS FAILED, AS WRITTEN, DUE TO VARIOUS TAX CUTS & OTHER BILL AMENDMENTS THAT WERE ADDED, ON DISSOLVING TRACK CONTRACTS FOR LIVE RACING. UNCLEAR AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.  Hopefully, the re-writing of this Bill will contain provisions for the care & safety of the Greyhounds, with a peaceful and orderly plan for track closures. 
Click here: Daily Journal - Florida House rejects Senate version of greyhound racing bill
AnimalActionUSA
Click here: Committee OKs New Gambling Measures | Sunshine State News
It's happening now; FLORIDA Greyhounds at risk for European, South American & Asian racing markets!  SAY NO to China, South America, and India! NO AMERICAN BORN GREYHOUNDS SHIPPED TO THESE COUNTRIES!  Take action and stand together.  Please participate in this issue.

Click here: Say NO to Greyhound Exports to China - The Petition Site

Click here: MAMMOTH APPEAL FOR WORLDWIDE PROTESTS-Irish Greyhounds | Blogs %uFFFD Welcome to FriendBurst! Your Friendship Site

Click here: Greyhound Watch  (Ireland, the UK & Scotland)

To Friends of the Greyhound:  Yes, it's happening.  It's happening now: Greyhounds are being shipped from Australia & Ireland to newly established racetracks in CHINA,
SOUTH AMERICA and  others are attempting contact with INDIA.   How can they do this?  What, if any, laws exist to prevent this? Are there
quarantine laws? What is an owner's responsibility? A breeder's responsibility? I am aware that an owner has this option: Not an owner? Just sign your dog over to me, and I'm an owner.   What, if any, laws would prohibit further breeding of Greyhounds in India?  Greyhound farms?  We can't even control the cruelty and abuse in USA, much yet delude the international or USA community into believing that these dogs will be taken care of.  The local population can hardly feed themselves- they are going to feed dogs that are not creating a profit?  Don't be silly.  These dogs will be left to starve, and worse. Photos from PETA indicate dogs are skinned and eaten.

PLEASE CHECK OUT FLORIDA SENATOR M. SACHS: Senate Bill 1594. Click here: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/1594/BillText/Filed/PDF

PLEASE NOTE: IF PASSED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2011
If and when this bill is passed, it will bring many changes to Greyhound racetracks, placing our American Greyhounds in greater jeopardy.Can you check out this bill for me...is that any possibility of getting the senator to add a line to it that prohibits kennels shipping out American born greyhounds to overseas markets like China , South America and India,etc where they are slaughtering them for food. This is not nonsense, wake up people!! Care and safety of our American born Greyhounds must be, and always will be, #1!
We are asking that everyone email Senator Sachs at  http://us.mc1114.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=sachs.maria.web@flsenate.gov  his bill is being introduced by Senator Sachs. Please read and write her at this email address.....as far as I can understand they  are ending racing but I see no provisions to protect the greyhounds involved in track racing, breeding farms and kennels dedicated to racing.Please ask that the bill include a plan for the greyhounds and race horses involved and at risk of euthanization, being sold off to foreign countries and experimental labrotories and a few other horrors our greys have been subjected to when not wanted any longer, The rescue groups have not worked this long and hard to see the last generation of racing greyhounds face anything but safe forever homes and that will take a massive effort by all rescue groups. We need time and financial provisions to see the greys thru this.We can included pictures and our stories of how our greys have affected our lives anything to bring to the Senator the information that these greyhounds are NOT just commodities and that their welfare should be considered in any bill that involves racing or the end of it.

THIS BILL MUST CONTAIN PROVISIONS FOR THE CARE & SAFETY OF AMERICAN BORN GREYHOUNDS!!  Please take Action!

SB 1594 and HB 1145 Pari-mutuel Permitholders
Senate Bill 1594, introduced by Senator Maria Sachs, and House Bill 1145, introduced by Representative Dana Young, would remove the requirement that dog tracks conduct live racing in order to also offer slots or poker. If passed, many dog tracks in Florida would almost certainly choose to end live racing to focus on more profitable forms of gambling. There is wide support for this legislation, among the operators of dog tracks in Florida and among Floridians concerned about the welfare of racing greyhounds.

Status: On March 16, S 1594 was approved by the Committee on Regulated Industries; it is now before the Committee on Budget. HB 1145 has been referred to the Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.

Please thank Senator Sachs and Representative Young for introducing this important legislation.
 Senator Maria Lorts Sachs. E-mail: sachs.maria.web@flsenate.gov
 Representative Dana D. Young. Click here to send an e-mail to Rep. Young.

HB 1145 - Pari-mutuel PermitholdersGENERAL BILL   by Young (CO-SPONSORS) O'Toole; PaffordPari-mutuel Permitholders: Provides that greyhound permitholder shall not be required to conduct minimum number of live performances; revises provisions relating to applications, converted permits & tax credits, tax exemptions or license fee credits, tax on handle for dogracing & intertrack wagering, greyhound racing purses, intertrack wagering, slot machine gaming licenses & gaming areas, & cardroom licenses.Effective Date: July 1, 2011 Last Event: PCS added to Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee agenda on Friday, March 18, 2011 4:28 PM



WHAT does the National Greyhound Association in Abilene, Kansas and the American Greyhound Track Owners Association owe to the Greyhounds?  Who will be their voice if they do not speak out?

Yes, it's happening.  It's happening in Florida.  FLORIDA IS THE MECCA FOR GREYHOUND RACING, and together with more track closings due to an aware and educated citizen, is  systematically prohibiting  Greyhound racing.  There are currently twelve to sixteen tracks operating in FLORIDA, always more than any other state. The unfortunate consequence of this will mean many Greyhounds  become available upon these closings.

There are  newly established racing kennels here in Florida  under financial sponsorship, that are looking to expand Greyhound Racing to India. In the past non-availability was their problem, but not anymore.  Many Greyhounds are bred, few are chosen, and even fewer survive. The lucky ones make it to an adoption organization who work tirelessly for their cause, and God Bless their unselfish efforts. Many are struggling financially , and a caring, compassionate society  donates to their efforts.  More help is needed.  Please check out the adoption agencies in your area; they are always in need of volunteers, foster homes, and supplies.  Local shelters, too,  require assistance.  In the present economy all are in need.

 Asian countries are looking to expand gambling and profit margins, once again, on these poor  gentle creatures, to whom it seems that their suffering will never end.  Owners of racing Greyhounds must take responsibility in this.  Breeding numbers must be curtailed . There are no animal protection laws in India,  China or South America; feeble as our own  laws have been to protect the Greyhounds,  no laws for medical care or feeding, no laws for adoption in these countries.  The future is bleak. Please tell the  governing board at the National Greyhound Association what you think about this.Click here: Greyhound Pets of America - Home

Click here: NGA Greyhounds
And it's happening now.  Please TAKE ACTION!

Please sign this petition if you believe  the shipment of Greyhounds to India , China and South America is wrong.
Thank you for caring.
AnimalActionUSA