The battle over decoupling in the State of Florida has ended, cruel and simple. With the passing of this shallow piece of legislation, Amendment 13 finally gives the Republican ruled majority victory in the hard sought separation of live racing from other forms of gambling. Coined as the ‘dog protection bill’, this body of laws does little but close commercial wagering on greyhounds by 2020. Florida voters were undeterred by its lack of financial provisions for greyhounds nor by its lack of tougher regulation to protect the current dogs racing for up to 26 months.
Kudos to the State on their deception and all without spending a taxpayers dime.
Amendment 13 should be recognized for what it is, a perfect marriage between State greed and political animal activism. After years of defeated decoupling efforts, now enters the zealous nature of activists funding its place on the ballot, financing its advertising and managing its campaign, conveniently in lieu of the State. Its sentiments played on the good nature of its intended Florida audience. Its one-sided presentation of the sport all but sealed its fate. But most genius is that its hollow framework assures the state untethered to any compensation for the safety or well-being of these dogs.
To understand this final insult, one must realize the pivotal role of racing and tax revenue. For multiple decades, while Florida was sans professional sporting teams and state lotteries, dogs raced. And now, after multiple decades of creating excess millions in tax revenues, greyhounds find themselves at the mercy of the private sector. Apparently after generations of greyhounds funding state coffers, aftercare dollars are appallingly absent.
With dog tracks able to decouple without penalty as early as January first of next year, one can only pray the private sector that so diligently voted to “protect dogs”, will now do so. Adopt, donate and remember—their fate is in your hands, Florida.
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