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Amendment 13 is a Trojan Horse

October 19, 2018 - 1:00pm

As a veterinarian, I’ve spent my entire career caring for the health and wellness of animals. I’ve seen firsthand how farmers, horse breeders and pet owners care for their animals. I’ve also seen firsthand the impact of neglect and abuse on animals. This November, I plan to vote no on Amendment 13.

Amendment 13 is a Trojan Horse. While it appears to be an amendment to simply end dog racing, the fine print you won’t see on the ballot could have devastating consequences on Florida’s family farms.

Activists behind the amendment have openly declared their desire to remove meat, dairy and eggs from our diets. These same activists have said they are on a mission to end hunting everywhere. And they’re making progress. Animal rights activists have passed 30 measures through Congress and more than 1,100 regulations in the states.

Now, their target is Florida.

Amendment 13 declares “the humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida.” This type of vague, undefined declaration in Florida’s Constitution will be exploited by activist groups to bring lawsuits against family farms, equine enthusiasts and sportsmen.

Their efforts to end animal agriculture will devastate the family businesses that produce the food we feed our own families. We’ll be forced to import more food from countries that have lesser standards for the care of their animals. With businesses forced to close and higher prices at the supermarket, Florida’s economy will take a hit.

Don’t let this Trojan Horse find its way into Florida’s Constitution. A “No” on 13 is a vote against extreme activists with hidden agendas. 

Dr. Liz Steele is a veterinarian in Zolfo Springs, a member of the Florida Farm Bureau and a member of the executive committee for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

Comments

Thanks for posting this. My retired racers were obviously loved and are amazing. This could have implications for farmers, hunters, and on and on......

The wording of Amendment 13 was described by a judge as ‘outright trickeration’ Dr Steele your comments are valid and should be a source of concern for anyone involved with farm animals, sporting animals, service animals, fishing and even those with pets. The adoption rate of retired Greyhounds in Florida is 98%. They love the thrill of pack chase and a safely prepared track is the best place for them to enjoy their passion.

Supreme Court disagreed. Also there is no way to track the 98% adoption rate. These dogs deserve a better life. Dogs at the age of 1 year old dying in the crate alone. I have the death report if you would like to see it.

Supreme Court disagreed. Also there is no way to track the 98% adoption rate. These dogs deserve a better life. Dogs at the age of 1 year old dying in the crate alone. I have the death report if you would like to see it.

I have read amendment 13 and it is only about the ban of greyhound racing. Nothing else. I would love to read the "amendment 13" that has language in it about farm animals, etc. Where is this particular copy available?

Thank you doctor you words are golden we appreciate your support on the greyhound racing ban !!! We have been used as a pawn by these animal activist organization that exploit our industry to make their executives rich with healthy trite meant plans !!! It is time we the true animal lover and care takers speak up against these activist !!! They don't take care of livestock but want to pass laws to manipulate our lives !!! Say no on amendment 13 God bless you doctor !!!

There are already laws on the books to govern the inhumane treatment of any animal. This amendment is not about that, it is all about controlling the people and what they can and cannot do with their animals. This is about collecting funds for Animal Rights groups so they can continue on their merry way to the next "inhumane activity" they deem troublesome. Ask them how much of the collected donations have gone toward the care of any animal.... you may be shocked! Vote this in and you will be putting thousands out of work in the state. You will be signing the death warrant of hundreds of dogs who may have nowhere to go. Vote NO please on Amendment 13.

This is idiotic. The fact that you used this ridiculous argument to substantiate your strong Republican ties (Farm Bureau, Cattleman's association) to defeat this is laughable. I give you credit for this. This argument, as ridiculous as it is, would work with most people, especially the average voter... They would buy this amendment was created and supported by activist groups hook, line and sinker. What you counted on people failing to realize is this amendment was created by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. A complete group of appointed Republicans, who had no intention of anything to do with banning meat, eggs, lawsuits, anything of the sort. This amendment is simply about exploiting racing dogs and their lives of terrible living conditions, exploitation and abuse. At the end of the day. For all we know, you make your living by treating these dogs from the multitude of infections and injuries they sustain. There is tons of case law supporting that the ethical slaughter of animals for consumption is justified in Florida and everywhere in the US. You have to wonder what your true intentions are. Either way it is like a wolf in sheep's clothing for sure... Good luck.

the amendment was pushed by Vegan Animal activists, Do some research, seems all you spew is anti racing lies and propaganda

easily verifiable, just look it up. It is all out there in black and white...

One of the thing you fail to realize, is a number of the members on the constitutional revision committee accepted donations from at least one of the animal activist groups. That to me indicates they were bought out and influenced to propose amendment 13. I attended one of the crc meetings and heard too many ultracrepidarians talking negativity about greyhound racing. I know how greyhounds are treated because i spent time from 2014 - 2018 checking out some farms, a training farm, three tracks, and kennels. In every instance, even when i showed up unexpected, i saw nothing but loving care given. Racing greyhounds are treated as well as and in many cases better than household pets.

sure you did Larry, you'll be placing bets tonight...

Republican or Democratic ties makes no difference in this issue. Dr. Mancinone, you stated "What you counted on people failing to realize is this amendment was created by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission". I beg to differ with you on this. The Amendment was instigated, directed, supported and funded by PETA, HSUS and G2K as lobbyists. They intentionally and dishonestly drafted their proposal to be vague in order to confuse voters and conceal their political agenda. It brings back the memory of the stink of the misleading and dishonest Solar Energy fiasco of 2016. More so, the CRC has purposely tried to bundle the good with the bad. This puts the voter in the sorry position of having to take the bad with the good when they cast their ballot. So there lives the "wolf in sheep's clothing". This is not an issue for the Florida Constitution but should be handled within the Florida Legislature. After 20+ years in and out of racing kennels and Greyhound adoption and knowing the TRUTH of how the hounds are treated, I will vote NO on Amendment 13.

Dr Mancinone. The wolf in sheep's clothing is exactly what the CRC is. The reason amendment 13 coincides with amendment 3 is to allow for expansion of gambling in FL. Amendment 13 is the stepping stone to allow it to occur. It has nothing to do with the dogs. They are being used as a pawn. And, all kill shelters are counting the dollars towards the greyhound dogs demise should it pass. Shame on you for not seeing through this. The activists could care less what happens to them and have NO plan for the dogs should it pass. Do you even realize the main activist group involved is a lobby group? You doctor are laughable for not doing your due diligence.

The wolf in sheep's clothing is exactly what the CRC is. The reason amendment 13 coincides with amendment 3 is to allow for expansion of gambling in FL. Amendment 13 is the stepping stone to allow it to occur. It has nothing to do with the dogs. They are being used as a pawn. And, all kill shelters are counting the dollars towards the greyhound dogs demise should it pass. Shame on you for not seeing through this. The activists could care less what happens to them and have NO plan for the dogs should it pass. Do you even realize the main activist group involved is a lobby group? You doctor are laughable for not doing your due diligence.

Dr. Mancinone, I have no affiliation with greyhound racing; I am a retired teacher and greyhound adopter. I would encourage you to ask the members of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission about their plan for the 8,000 active racers if Amendment 13 passes. Does the amendment include a schedule for a gradual shut down of the tracks so the dogs can be absorbed by the adoption community? No, it does not. Tracks can - and will - start closing as of 1/1/19. Does the amendment include a comprehensive plan for vetting & relocating 8,000 greyhounds in a short amount of time? No, it does not. Does the amendment designate any funding to cover the cost of vetting & relocating 8,000 greyhounds? No, it does not. Even for people who are adamantly opposed to greyhound racing, Amendment 13 is not the solution. That is why 95 greyhound adoption groups throughout the US & Canada, comprised of thousands of volunteers who truly know & understand the breed, have publicly denounced this amendment. Amendment 13 is a perfect example of "be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it."

cite your sources please.... We're still waiting...

Some teacher, I'm so sorry, I missed your request for my sources. I'm happy to oblige. In my original comment, I stated that Amendment 13 does not include a schedule for gradually closing the tracks, does not include a plan for vetting & re-homing the 8,000 affected greyhounds, & does not set aside any money for vetting & moving the dogs out of Florida. Here is the actual amendment, word for word. Read it for yourself and you will see that there are no provisions for the things I stated: Amendment 13 would add a new section to Article X and a new section to Article XII of the Florida Constitution. The following text would be added:[3] New Section of Article X Prohibition on racing of and wagering on greyhounds or other dogs.—The humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida. After December 31, 2020, a person authorized to conduct gaming or pari-mutuel operations may not race greyhounds or any member of the Canis Familiaris subspecies in connection with any wager for money or any other thing of value in this state, and persons in this state may not wager money or any other thing of value on the outcome of a live dog race occurring in this state. The failure to conduct greyhound racing or wagering on greyhound racing after December 31, 2018, does not constitute grounds to revoke or deny renewal of other related gaming licenses held by a person who is a licensed greyhound permitholder on January 1, 2018, and does not affect the eligibility of such permitholder, or such permitholder’s facility, to conduct other pari-mutuel activities authorized by general law. By general law, the legislature shall specify civil or criminal penalties for violations of this section and for activities that aid or abet violations of this section. New Section of Article XII Prohibition on racing or wagering on greyhounds or other dogs.—The amendment to Article X, which prohibits the racing of or wagering on greyhound and other dogs, and the creation of this section, shall take effect upon the approval of the electors.[8] Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_13,_Ban_on_Wagering_on_Dog_Races_Amendment_(2018)

8,000 dogs at 11 tracks, many of them part-time, that would mean almost 1,000 dogs at each track... I know you breeders, racers and gamblers all are desperate, but at least make your lies believable...

I also stated in my original comment that there were 95 greyhound adoption groups that have publicly spoken out against Amendment 13 because it fails to adequately provide for the welfare of the dogs that would be affected if it passes. Here are the names of the adoption groups: ACT Greyhounds, Adopt A Greyhound Atlanta, Adoptable Greyhounds of Florida, Alabama Greyhound Rescue and Adoption Center, Allies for Greyhounds, Arizona Adopt A Greyhound, Awesome Greyhound Adoptions, Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions, Bluegrass Greyhound Adoption, Box to the Wire Greyhound Adoptions, California Greyhound Adoption Promotion, Camp Greyhound, Crazy for Greyhounds Adoptions, Everything Grey Greyhound Haven, Everything Greyt,Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption Sarasota, FastK9’s Greyhound Adoption, Forever Home Greyhound Adoption, Gemini’s Pampered Greyhounds, God’s Greyts Greyhound Group, Greyed A Greyhound Assistance and Placement Services, Greyhound Action League of Buffalo, Greyhound Adoption of Ohio, Greyhound Angels Adoption of New Jersey, Greyhound Crossroads, Greyhound Friends of North Carolina, Greyhound Pet Adoption of Florida Southeast, GPA Massachusetts Adoption Center, GPA Tampa Bay, Greyhound Pets of Arizona, Greyhound Placement Service of New Hampshire, Greyhound Rescue Foundation of Tennessee, Greyhound Rescue of New York, Greyhound Support Transport, Greyhounds As Pets of Northeast Florida, Greyhounds Pets of Atlantic Canada, Greytful Hearts Greyhound Rescue, GST’s Sun State Greyhound Adoption, Halfway Home Greyhound Adoption, Hounds of the Heartland, Iowa Greyhound Park Adoption Program, It’s a Grey Area Greyhound Adoption, Keystone Greyhounds, Northern Greyhound Adoptions, Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption, Northern Sky Greyhound League, Northwest Canadian Greyhound League, Paws on the Mountain Greyhound Adoption, Personalized Greyhounds, PRO Greyhound, Project Racing Home Greyhound Adoptions, Pups Without Partners Greyhound Adoption, Pure Michigan Greyhound Adoption, Racing Home Greyhound Adoption, Rainbow’s End Greyhound Adoption, Running the Rail Greyhound Adoption, Southern California Greyhound Adoption Legion, Star City Greyhound Adoptions, The League of Extraordinary Greyhounds, Triangle Greyhound Society, Wheeling Island Greyhound Adoption Center. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreyhoundAdoptersForRacing/; https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_13,_Ban_on_Wagering_on_Dog_Races_Amendment_(2018)

Oops, my list above left off a few recent additions to the list of 95 adoption groups that have denounced Amendment 13. here are the remaining few that I omitted. After all, accuracy IS important! Greythounds of Eastern Michigan, Heartland Greyhound Adoption, Race Place Retire Greyhound Adoption, Greyhound Pet Adoption Las Vegas, Greyhound Retirement Adoption Care and Education, After The Track Greyhound Adoption.

Hello there “Some teacher” what sources are you questioning Sandi about??? I will be happy to enlighten you! I’ll also give you “sources”. Oh how I love the cryptic names that the ignorant followers of ANTI animal zombies hide behind. Cowards

You could never belong to a rescue group and support this, shame on you....

Greyhounds dont need rescuing and they dont go to rescue groups, Shows how uneducated you are on the topic, They go to adoption groups through out the US and Canada with a waiting list to receive dogs, Maybe you should be going after the SPCA who admitted to killing 11,000 pets out 18,000 received in 1 year, DONT BELIEVE THE LIES,, VOTE NO ON 13

Numbers going from 8000 to 11,000-18,000? Ridiculous There is a list for these dogs, 300 in the US and Canada to RESCUE these dogs if the bill passes.

Gosh, sorry. I already voted yes.

Betty, you've been misled by the propagandists. 95 Greyhound adoption groups across North America, including 16 in Florida, oppose 13 because they know Yes on 13 is lying and because the volunteers have decades of REAL firsthand experience in Greyhounds, adoption, and welfare. They are a true grassroots movement. Yes on 13 is a front PAC for HSUS and Grey2K. Go check the campaign finance database in Florida if you want to see truth. Shame on you if you choose to believe rich out-of-state lobbyists that do nothing and have NO PLAN and NO FUNDING for the Greyhounds if 13 passes.

Betty, you're correct that I don't belong to a "rescue group." I belong to an adoption group that re-homes racing greyhounds when they retire. Your shaming doesn't work with me.

I see what you scumbags charge for your racing dog "adoption" services, and the kickbacks you give and take from the racers... You're worse than the dog murderers. There is a special place in hell for you...

There are no kickbacks! What the adoption groups "charge" for their dogs does not even cover their expenses. You should really know what you are talking about before opening your mouth.

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