Pennsylvania moves to ban simulcasting of greyhound racing, Gov. Tom Corbett to sign bill while Florida might follow suit
Ever since 2004, greyhound racing has been illegal in Pennsylvania and now the industry faces another blow as the legislature moves to ban the simulcasting of greyhound racing.
This means that after the bill is passed, greyhound races taking place in other states will not be broadcasted in the state, causing loss of viewership and ultimately loss of profits to the industry.
This loss of profits is in fact one of the motives of the bill as it aims to restrict individuals or businesses from receiving any financial gains through the broadcasting of the race.
The bill was approved by the House earlier this year and now that the Senate has passed it as well, it is on its way to Governor Tom Corbett.
Sponsor of the bill, state representative, Curt Schroder, said, “As the owner of rescued greyhounds, I have seen the devastating effect the racing industry has had on these dogs”.
He further argued that greyhounds make great pets and he is pleased to know that Pennsylvania will not promote an industry that causes harm to these gentle animals.
According to the bill, breaking this law could result in a penalty as severe as $10,000.
A press release by Senator Stewart Greenleaf regarding the bill says, “The General Assembly should ban simulcasting for the same reasons it has banned live races. The racing industry still destroys an average of 9,000 greyhounds per year when they are no
longer profitable”.
This is not the first time that the greyhound racing industry has had to deal with bans and negative publicity.
In Florida too, there have been movements to ban greyhound racing in the aftermath of thirty two greyhound bodies found at Florida’s Ebro Greyhound Park.
A major movement that opposes greyhound racing is the ‘Citizens against Greyhound Racing’ movement whose tagline is, “Any number greater than zero is too many dying for human entertainment”.
In fact today only seven states in USA permit greyhound racing which further intensifies the dismal state of the industry, because with no tracks left to race, the sport could die out.
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