Thousands of dogs need new homes after a new ban on greyhound racing

On Tuesday, Florida voted to ban greyhound racing in the state. This decision meant that thousands of racing dogs could find themselves homeless.

Sixty-nine voters voted in favor of Amendment 13 which is also named the Committee to Protect Dog.

The move has been called, “a knockout blow to a cruel industry that has been hurting and killing dogs for nearly a century.” In the US, Florida hosts 11 of the 17 active dog tracks.

The industry will be falling apart in the state by January 2021. That means around 6,000 dogs will need new homes over the next few years.

For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. Kitty Block, the acting president and CEO of the Humane Society of the US said:

“Because of the decisions of millions of Florida voters, thousands of dogs will be spared the pain and suffering that is inherent in the greyhound racing industry.”

Block added:

“We are so grateful to the volunteers, campaign members, coalition partners, contributors and endorsers who came together in support of this historic effort to end the cruelty of greyhound racing.”

The decision also challenges trainers and racetrack workers who benefitted from the sport. They would be some of the people who would lose their jobs.

The sport was riddled with criticism because of the apparent abuse and neglect of the dogs. The canines were also said to be subjected to cruel conditions.

Now that the new law has been cast, advocacy organizations and adoption groups will have their hands full with trying to find new homes for the dogs. Some of the dogs have raced until they were around 2 years old.

According to Adopt-a-Greyhound.org, greyhounds make great pets. The animals are trained to chase lures that most often are mechanical which makes them neither vicious nor predatory.

The other good thing about them is that they are sociable because they’re accustomed to being around people. Those who are interested in adopting a greyhound can read more on this here.