The greyhound racing industry is dependent on overbreeding and premature deaths of thousands of greyhounds each year. To maintain a profit, greyhound owners and trainers often cut costs in the treatment of their greyhounds.
These animals endure abuse such as neglect and being fed diseased meat, and this mistreatment is destined to become more widespread as Florida's greyhound racing industry dies out.
Certain cases against greyhound abuse won using Florida's anti-animal cruelty statute, but Florida's anti-cruelty laws should apply to the entirety of greyhound racing, not just a few cases of horrible violence within the industry.
Florida law states that dogs are not livestock, and until Florida follows its own definitions of livestock, greyhounds will continue to be bred for profit and suffer inhumane treatment. Tell Florida to follow its own definition of "livestock" and protect greyhounds from animal abuse.
Dear Governor Charlie Crist,
The abuse of greyhound dogs by the greyhound racing industry violates Florida's animal cruelty laws. Florida state laws do not list dogs as livestock, and greyhounds should therefore be protected under Florida animal protection laws.
According to Florida state law, "Livestock shall include all animals of the equine, bovine, or swine class, including goats, sheep, mules, horses, hogs, cattle, ostriches, and other grazing animals." Florida state law further states in St. Petersburg Kennel Club, Inc. versus Jim Smith that "greyhound racing dogs are not 'livestock.'"
The greyhound racing industry is profit-driven, and by default lists animal welfare as secondary. Greyhounds are fed diseased meat and transported in overcrowded and inhumane conditions just to name a couple of the abuses these animals suffer. As the greyhound racing industry begins to die out, such treatment of animals will become more widespread.
I am writing to urge you to ensure that greyhound dogs are protected under Florida's anti-cruelty laws from the dying greyhound racing industry.
