A bill to protect racing greyhounds became the first bill to pass the Florida Senate during this year's legislative session.
The bill passed unanimously Tuesday with a 38-0 vote. Also titled the Victoria Q. Gaetz 22 Racing Greyhound Protection Act," the legislation would require racetrack owners to report greyhound injuries to the state via a signed form within seven days of when the injury occurs. The form would be required to be completed and signed under oath.
SB 2 was named in honor of the wife of former Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. Gaetz co-sponsored the bill, which was filed by Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood.
"Injury reporting is a simple step that will lead to fewer deaths and a better quality of life for these precious animals," said Sobel.
According to the bill, racetrack owners will be required to report the greyhound's name, its right- and left-ear tattoo numbers, the name and address of the greyhound's owner, the dog's height, weight and color, as well as the type of injury sustained and the anticipated recovery time.
For injuries sustained during a race, owners would be required to submit the location, distance, grade, race and weather conditions when the race occurred.
For many, the bill has been a long time coming -- it's been in the works for five years, with many animal rights activists calling for the end to what they see as an "inhumane practice."
Florida and Alabama are the only states in the country where injury reporting isn't mandatory.
"People don't realize how treacherous the life of a racing greyhound dog is -- broken legs, skulls, backs, severed toes, electrocution, even cardiac arrest because of the stress," says Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations.
Florida is one of seven states where dog racing tracks remain in operation -- they also exist in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia.
David Bishop of the Florida Greyhound Association said the bill could prove problematic for injury reporting.
"While Senate bill 2 is a good first step, it doesn't go far enough in protecting racing greyhounds," he said. "Reportingat-track dog injuries collects statistical data but doesn't do anything to prevent injuries or deaths."
According to a new report published last month by nonprofit group GREY2K, the Sunshine State is home to 12 of 21 dog tracks nationwide.
Since 2008, nearly 12,000 greyhound injuries and 900 deaths have been reported across the country, but the actual number of injuries could be higher because Florida currently doesn't require racetrack owners and veterinarians to report injuries.
The bill has not yet been heard in the House.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen
