Greyhound racing ban would mean loss of $400K in education funding

The future of greyhound racing will be in the hands of Florida voters in November.

On Monday, the Constitution Revision Commission passed the proposal to put on the ballot a constitutional amendment that bans betting on dog races.

The Florida Greyhound Association’s website says there are 13 greyhound tracks in Florida.

One of them is in Orange Park at bestbet.

“If greyhound racing went away, we would lose so much money to our colleges. These young people need a chance,” said Jacksonville kennel owner Fred Johnson.

The state estimates the ban would mean a loss of about $400,000 a year to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, which helps support public schools and universities.

Action News Jax archives show some local racing greyhounds have been testing positive for cocaine for years.

The Humane Society of the United States’ Florida State Director Kate MacFall said the choice should be up to voters.

“We do think this is the right place for it. We’ve not been successful in the Legislature, so this is a perfect example of why the CRC is here and how important it is,” said MacFall.

Florida Greyhound Association spokesman Jack Cory said the organization plans to fight the proposal in court.

“We will be in front of the Supreme Court shortly to discuss that. You can lie in making a presentation to the CRC. You cannot lie to the Supreme Court under oath,” said Cory.

Johnson said greyhounds could wind up being put down if voters approve the ban.

“We’ll try to adopt as many out as possible, send them to farmers and get people to keep them. But in reality, some of them may be euthanized because there’s going to be 8,000 dogs that have to move at one time,” said Johnson.

The state estimates it will lose more than $1 million a year in taxes and fees if voters approve the ban.

Cox Media Group