In a landmark victory for dogs, Florida has voted in favor of a greyhound-racing ban, which will end live races and simulcast betting on dog races at the state’s 11 tracks. Soon, only six greyhound racetracks will still be operating in the U.S. Since Florida is the hub of the country’s dog-racing industry, this historic vote will likely bring about their closure as well.
Shutting down the tracks will save thousands of gentle greyhounds from being caged for 22 to 23 hours a day, given performance-enhancing drugs—including cocaine—and forced to run to the point that many sustain broken legs, develop heatstroke, or suffer heart attacks. Dogs used for racing have incurred spinal injuries, broken necks, and crushed skulls, and some were electrocuted when they collided with electric fences. On average, one dog dies every three days on a Florida racetrack. Now, all greyhound racing will end in Florida by 2020.
Via PETA.org
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