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SARASOTA- We’ve been profiling all of Florida’s Constitutional Amendments and with just one weekend left ahead of Election Day, Amendment 13 is the last one on the ballot and could put an end to dog racing.  In total there are less than 20 Dog Tracks are left nationwide with the majority of them in Florida.

“What this amendment would do would be to terminate that industry by 2020,” Alcock said. “A number of animal rights groups have been pushing this.”

Groups like Protect dogs vote yes on 13 are airing ads focused on the inhumane treatment of greyhounds with messages saying “Nearly 500 greyhound dogs have died in Florida since 2013, when they’re not racing, these animals are confined in small stacked metal cages, like these in Longwood Florida for 20-23 hours a day.”

Spokesman for the Florida Greyhound Association Jack Cory says the dogs enjoy to race and are bred for it, “Greyhounds are well-trained,” Cory said. “Well treated, well loved, and the proof of that pudding is over 95% of them are adopted out to loving families.”

Cory says groups like the Florida Farm Bureau and Cattleman’s Association are also opposing the amendment, due to language it would add to the constitution stating “The humane treatment of animals is a fundamental value of the people of the state of Florida.”

“Even though that may sound good,” Cory said. “Those other groups are concerned that radical out of state animal rights groups will come in and use it for litigation.”

If the amendment passes, and racing is banned, card rooms at the tracks will remain open.

“They have to run the dogs in order to run the poker this would sever that tether,” Alcock said. “There’s been attempts to sever it before in the legislative sessions that have been thwarted. This in addition to ending dog racing would sever the tether so card rooms would remain.”  

If you want to take a look at your ballot you can get a sample ballot online: