Greyhounds Win Victories in 2012 State Legislatures

Anngi enjoying the grass, photo by Natalie and Leo Larkin

With state legislatures across the country winding down, it's a good time to reflect on which greyhound protection laws passed and failed in 2012.  On the whole, it's been a good legislative year for the greyhounds.

• In Arizona, lawmakers passed a groundbreaking law allowing Tucson Greyhound Park to reduce greyhound racing.  Previously, the track was required to race year-round.  Under the new law, however, the track is only required to hold 100 days of racing a year.  The track can also hold even fewer races or end dog racing completely, if it enters into an agreement with kennel owners.  Although it's now up to the track to make this necessary change, the passage of this decoupling law is wonderful news for greyhounds.

• Greyhound advocates won two major victories in Kansas, the home of the dog racing industry.  Lawmakers rejected a proposal that was aimed at bringing dog racing back to the state, while at the same time restoring greyhounds to the protections of the Pet Animal Act.  These are both huge victories for the greyhounds, and are evidence that the National Greyhound Association has lost much of its influence.

• Sadly, bills to decouple greyhound racing from other forms of gambling failed to pass in Florida and Iowa despite having strong support.  These bills will be reintroduced in 2013.

For decades, lawmakers have considered proposals that had a direct impact on the lives of greyhounds.  Most of the affected parties have been represented in that debate, including track owners, greyhound breeders, anti-gambling advocates, competing gambling interests and regulators.  However, the greyhounds themselves have historically not had a legislative voice.  That is why it is part of our mission at GREY2K USA to represent them in the legislative process.

The greyhounds had a good year in 2012, but I know we can do even better in 2013.  As an advocacy community, our best days are still ahead of us.