Debate Over Florida Greyhound Racing Makes a Wrong Turn

Over the past month, I have been working to pass two humane bills that would decouple greyhound racing from other forms of gambling in Florida. The Sunshine State is now home to a majority of dog tracks nationwide, and these proposals (House Bill 1145 and Senate Bill 1594) would significantly reduce greyhound injuries and confinement.

These bills are supported by every major animal protection group in Florida and nationwide, and have already begun to advance. Earlier this week, a House subcommittee approved HB 1145 by an overwhelming vote of 14-1, and a Senate Committee has already voted in favor of SB 1594. Despite these initial victories, there is a long road ahead. To become law, these bills must still pass four additional committees, and be approved by the House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor. In short, this debate has only just begun.

While I am thankful for the progress that has already been made for Florida's greyhounds, I am also disturbed by the vitriolic, even violent rhetoric that is now being used by greyhound breeders who are opposed to greyhound decoupling. In fact, there is evidence that an organized campaign is now underway to defeat these common sense measures, using scare tactics and intimidation.

This underhanded effort began last month, when dog racing supporter Leslie Wootten posed as an independent journalist, and then wrote a series of "articles" attacking GREY2K USA and other greyhound protection advocates. Wootten used flawed logic to argue that greyhound decoupling would actually harm greyhounds, a claim that is not only false but is completely absurd.

The campaign then shifted to online intimidation tactics that appear to have no boundaries. For example, yesterday morning an opponent of greyhound decoupling using the name "Chuck" posted a comment on a media website in which he personally attacked GREY2K USA President Christine Dorchak, referring to her manner of dress and accusing her of being responsible for the death of greyhounds:

Christine Dorchak and Grey2k (sic) couldn't be less concerned with the safety and welfare of greyhounds. Curiously their actions seem to result in the deaths of more greyhounds than are saved ... that red dress she wore when testifying is stained with the blood of those greyhounds.

When greyhound breeders learned of this message, they applauded the author. In a post on American Greyhounds, a website used by greyhound breeders, pro-racing adoption advocate Pam Davis referred to this as a "pretty good" post, and encouraged greyhound breeders to "comment away on this one!" These comments by Davis contain a good dose of irony, since it was only a few months ago that she asked GREY2K USA to assist her in filing a complaint against a greyhound trainer at Jefferson County Kennel Club.

Anger has not only been directed towards greyhound protection advocates, but also lawmakers. In a post on American Greyhounds, a greyhound breeder named Kate D'Arcy personally attacked Senator Maria Sachs, who is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 1594:

I listened to the podcast, and it seemed evident to me that Sachs is certainly funded by Grey2K (sic) + the HSUS nutters ... it made me sick just listening to the condescending cow!

This is only one of many hateful statements that have been posted on American Greyhounds. In another comment posted on March 18, greyhound owner Mike Tice from Alabama wrote that he wished physical harm would come to greyhound protection advocates:

The local fruitcakes are partying it up on that commentary. I really hope they all fall off of a cliff...and get trampled

In another post, a greyhound owner from Boca Raton, Florida named Kenny Kilgore suggested that their strategy should be to irritate lawmakers until they vote to continue the cruelty of dog racing:

Lobbying works by constant irritation......they'll give in just so you will leave them alone.

A similar comment was posted by greyhound enthusiast Brian Lee, who posted this morning that greyhound breeders are engaged in "political warfare."

Lee is also the author of what is likely the the most ironic statement that has been made so far on greyhound decoupling in Florida. After participating in several of these hateful online discussions, he posted the following:

Y'Know this reminds me of a few years back when the KKK had their Grand Wizard, David Duke - take off his white sheet and, dress up in a fancy suit and tie. This was the "kinder gentler" Klan remember? I think he even talked about running for President. Well they can put lipstick on a pig all they want ...

While these statements are hurtful, they should be a rallying cry for greyhound protection advocates. Rather than respond in kind, we must channel our aggravation into action.

We must strive to make a sound, policy-based argument that greyhound decoupling should pass, and be a chorus of compassionate voices in doing so.

Because at the end of the day, greyhound breeders are lashing out because they are desperate. They simply cannot stand the fact that their cruelty is finally coming to an end.