TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - Leon County circuit judge Karen Gievers is currently hearing arguments in a battle about a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban greyhound racing at Florida dog tracks.
The Florida Greyhound Association, which represents breeders and owners of racing dogs, filed a lawsuit in May seeking to keep the proposed constitutional amendment off the November ballot.
The group contends that the measure, which was placed on the ballot by the state Constitution Revision Commission, is misleading and inaccurate.
Florida Greyhound Association spokesman Jack Cory says there are flaws in the ballot title and summary, which are what voters see when they go to the polls.
“The proponents can lie to the CRC. They can lie to the media. They can even lie to the people of the state of Florida. They can’t lie to the courts without severe consequences," said Cory. "That’s why the only alternative we had to protect 3,000 jobs and 8,000 beautiful greyhounds was to take this to the court.”
Attorneys for the state and anti-dog racing groups feel the plaintiffs have failed to show a compelling reason why the court should block what is known as Amendment 13 from going on the ballot.
Kate MacFall with the Humane Society of the United States calls the lawsuit a desperate attempt by the industry.
“Florida voters love dogs. They don’t support them being confined, injured and dying. The cruelty that goes along with the industry is inhumane," said MacFall. "People love dogs, and once people know, they’ve vote yes on 13 and the industry knows that.”
If the amendment receives approval from 60 percent of voters, it would outlaw greyhound racing at Florida tracks by 2020.
Tracks would continue to be able to operate other types of gambling, such as poker rooms and, in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, slot machines.
Both sides agree it is likely that the issue will ultimately be decided by the Florida Supreme Court, regardless of how Gievers rules Thursday.
