QUESTION 3: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition
Dog Racing
Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2008?
SUMMARY
As required by law, summaries are written by the State Attorney General, and the statements describing the effect of a "yes" or "no" vote are written jointly by the State Attorney General and the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
This proposed law would prohibit any dog racing or racing meeting in Massachusetts where any form of betting or wagering on the speed or ability of dogs occurs. The State Racing Commission would be prohibited from accepting or approving any application or request for racing dates for dog racing. Any person violating the proposed law could be required to pay a civil penalty of not less than $20,000 to the Commission. The penalty would be used for the Commission's administrative purposes, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature. All existing parts of the chapter of the state's General Laws concerning dog and horse racing meetings would be interpreted as if they did not refer to dogs. These changes would take effect January 1, 2010. The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.
WHAT YOUR VOTE WILL DO
A YES VOTE would prohibit dog races on which betting or wagering occurs, effective January 1, 2010.
A NO VOTE would make no change in the laws governing dog racing.
See Full Text of Question 3
ARGUMENTS
As provided by law, the 150-word arguments are written by proponents and opponents of each question, and reflect their opinions. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not endorse these arguments, and does not certify the truth or accuracy of any statement made in these arguments. The names of the individuals and organizations who wrote each argument, and any written comments by others about each argument, are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
IN FAVOR: Dog racing is cruel and inhumane. Would you treat your dog this way?
Thousands of Massachusetts greyhounds endure lives of confinement, kept for 20 or more hours each day in cages barely large enough to stand up or turn around in.
According to state records more than 800 Massachusetts racing greyhounds have been injured since 2002, including dogs who suffered broken legs, paralysis and even death from cardiac arrest.
According to the Massachusetts State Racing Commission greyhounds have recently died from a mysterious illness and tested positive for cocaine, an illegal stimulant.
To learn more and see photographs taken by the racetracks, visit www.ProtectDogs.org.
Dogs are important in our lives and deserve protection.
Please join the MSPCA, The Humane Society of the United States, the Springfield Republican, every major animal shelter, dozens of lawmakers and other community leaders.
Vote "Yes" for the dogs on Question 3.
Authored by:
Carter J. Luke, President
Massachusetts Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
P.O. Box 442117
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 666-3526
AGAINST: Parimutuel dog racing has taken place in Massachusetts for over 70 years, now only at Wonderland dog track in Revere, and Raynham/Taunton in Raynham. The greyhounds are owned by caring dog owners, not tracks. There is no mistreatment of the dogs as claimed by animal activists. The State Racing Commission fully regulates the industry, has veterinarians on duty at each track, and maintains numerous programs for the welfare of the dogs during their racing careers, and for adoption when their careers are over. About 1,000 people will lose badly needed jobs if the proposal is enacted. The Commonwealth, Revere and Raynham will lose badly needed revenue. From 2000 to 2007, these tracks paid over $40 million to the Commonwealth in commissions and fees, as well as other taxes related to their racing activities. Finally enactment will likely subject the Commonwealth to suits by the tracks for taking their property.
Authored by:
George L. Carney, Jr.
Massasoit Greyhound Association, Inc.
Raynham Park
1958 Broadway
Raynham, MA 02767
(508) 824-4071
Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
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Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
Honestly, I'm torn on this. I do like to go to the track and wonder what would become of all the dogs if this passes. Part of me thinks the dogs like to run and have to be in good health to run. I think I'd need to see how the pups are housed to really get a good feeling on this. Opinions
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
I saw a greyhound race in Arizona a long time ago. One of them wiped out and took a bunch of others with him. It was funny in a physical comedy kind of way, but I imagine it was pretty awful for the dogs.
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
Didn't Herzog film that for his documentary about you called Neil Laughs At Disaster and Pain?Dr. Medulla wrote:I saw a greyhound race in Arizona a long time ago. One of them wiped out and took a bunch of others with him. It was funny in a physical comedy kind of way, but I imagine it was pretty awful for the dogs.
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
I've heard less than good things about the way dogs are unceremoniously disposed of when their racing days are over, but I'm not sure if those are reputable sources or not.
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
I can't comment on that given the ongoing lawsuit.eumaas wrote:Didn't Herzog film that for his documentary about you called Neil Laughs At Disaster and Pain?Dr. Medulla wrote:I saw a greyhound race in Arizona a long time ago. One of them wiped out and took a bunch of others with him. It was funny in a physical comedy kind of way, but I imagine it was pretty awful for the dogs.
"I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back in Whittier, they're not much bigger than two meters.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
Man, that's one bleak movie. You're a sick son of a bitch, Hooky. Sick.Dr. Medulla wrote:I can't comment on that given the ongoing lawsuit.eumaas wrote:Didn't Herzog film that for his documentary about you called Neil Laughs At Disaster and Pain?Dr. Medulla wrote:I saw a greyhound race in Arizona a long time ago. One of them wiped out and took a bunch of others with him. It was funny in a physical comedy kind of way, but I imagine it was pretty awful for the dogs.
I feel that there is a fascistic element, for example, in the Rolling Stones . . .
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I've studied the phenomenon of neo-provincialism in self-isolating online communities but this place takes the fucking cake.
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I've studied the phenomenon of neo-provincialism in self-isolating online communities but this place takes the fucking cake.
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
Unscrupulous film editing can make anyone look bad. I was laughing at the retarded Mexican midgets doing a little dance between the races, but he didn't show that part. Complete bullshit.eumaas wrote:Man, that's one bleak movie. You're a sick son of a bitch, Hooky. Sick.Dr. Medulla wrote:I can't comment on that given the ongoing lawsuit.eumaas wrote:Didn't Herzog film that for his documentary about you called Neil Laughs At Disaster and Pain?Dr. Medulla wrote:I saw a greyhound race in Arizona a long time ago. One of them wiped out and took a bunch of others with him. It was funny in a physical comedy kind of way, but I imagine it was pretty awful for the dogs.
"I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back in Whittier, they're not much bigger than two meters.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
I think you're right, but there's also rescue projects and adoptions n stuffWolter wrote:I've heard less than good things about the way dogs are unceremoniously disposed of when their racing days are over, but I'm not sure if those are reputable sources or not.
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
What about where you laughed at Schindler's List?Dr. Medulla wrote:Unscrupulous film editing can make anyone look bad. I was laughing at the retarded Mexican midgets doing a little dance between the races, but he didn't show that part. Complete bullshit.eumaas wrote:Man, that's one bleak movie. You're a sick son of a bitch, Hooky. Sick.Dr. Medulla wrote:I can't comment on that given the ongoing lawsuit.eumaas wrote:Didn't Herzog film that for his documentary about you called Neil Laughs At Disaster and Pain?Dr. Medulla wrote:I saw a greyhound race in Arizona a long time ago. One of them wiped out and took a bunch of others with him. It was funny in a physical comedy kind of way, but I imagine it was pretty awful for the dogs.
I feel that there is a fascistic element, for example, in the Rolling Stones . . .
— Morton Feldman
I've studied the phenomenon of neo-provincialism in self-isolating online communities but this place takes the fucking cake.
— Clashy
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
Again, editing, man. I was laughing at Flintstone's List. [/Kevin Smith joke]eumaas wrote:What about where you laughed at Schindler's List?Dr. Medulla wrote:Unscrupulous film editing can make anyone look bad. I was laughing at the retarded Mexican midgets doing a little dance between the races, but he didn't show that part. Complete bullshit.eumaas wrote:Man, that's one bleak movie. You're a sick son of a bitch, Hooky. Sick.Dr. Medulla wrote:I can't comment on that given the ongoing lawsuit.eumaas wrote: Didn't Herzog film that for his documentary about you called Neil Laughs At Disaster and Pain?
"I used to bullseye womp rats in my T-16 back in Whittier, they're not much bigger than two meters.'" - Richard Nixon, Checkers Speech, abandoned early draft
Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
you could ask Michael Vick.... or, not....Wolter wrote:I've heard less than good things about the way dogs are unceremoniously disposed of when their racing days are over, but I'm not sure if those are reputable sources or not.
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
DMX has all of the animal abuse/neglect credentials of Vick, without the incarceration thing hounding him. He'd be the go-to guy.rcs wrote: you could ask Michael Vick.... or, not....
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
Wonderland racetrack's had a checkered history for its treatment of the dogs. I think they've kept their noses clean (at least of any obvious signs of abuse) since the political heat got turned up on them, but it's their past reputation that's got a big target on their backs.
Honestly, the reason why this thing is on the ballot is because both the greater Boston dog tracks are prime sites for the casinos Gov. Patrick wants built. Convenient, no?
I'm still voting to ban. Honestly, playing the ponies attracts a somewhat slimy element to the track and OTB. Playing the doggies is about 3 rungs lower. At one time this was considered passable entertainment, but the demand for it has all but dried up the last 20 years and now the handful of these tracks left only bring in the clientele too strung out to even play the ponies. A North Shore crowd at an OTB is depressing enough. A North Shore crowd at Wonderland...well, it's classy if you like hobnobbing with 60-year-old winos with liver failure and a mountain of debt. Take the whole industry behind the barn. Yeah...will probably mean an uptick in euthanizations when the two tracks first close, but in the long run it saves more canine lives not to overbreed them in the first place.
Honestly, the reason why this thing is on the ballot is because both the greater Boston dog tracks are prime sites for the casinos Gov. Patrick wants built. Convenient, no?
I'm still voting to ban. Honestly, playing the ponies attracts a somewhat slimy element to the track and OTB. Playing the doggies is about 3 rungs lower. At one time this was considered passable entertainment, but the demand for it has all but dried up the last 20 years and now the handful of these tracks left only bring in the clientele too strung out to even play the ponies. A North Shore crowd at an OTB is depressing enough. A North Shore crowd at Wonderland...well, it's classy if you like hobnobbing with 60-year-old winos with liver failure and a mountain of debt. Take the whole industry behind the barn. Yeah...will probably mean an uptick in euthanizations when the two tracks first close, but in the long run it saves more canine lives not to overbreed them in the first place.
Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
Sorry about the lateness here, I was actually working this morning. I know, shame on me.
I'm against dog tracks because most of the dogs are treated deplorably. Yes, they do get to run, but it's on the track's terms, and the other 23 hours of the day they are kept in crates. There are a lot of rescue groups that specialize in retired greyhounds, but obviously they can't save them all. I'd vote for the ban -- I just think it's barbaric.
I'm against dog tracks because most of the dogs are treated deplorably. Yes, they do get to run, but it's on the track's terms, and the other 23 hours of the day they are kept in crates. There are a lot of rescue groups that specialize in retired greyhounds, but obviously they can't save them all. I'd vote for the ban -- I just think it's barbaric.
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Re: Hey Jen - Ballot Question on Dog Racing.
I don't know, they have to train if they want to win. You couldn't let veal out for an hour and expect it to win a race.JennyB wrote: Yes, they do get to run, but it's on the track's terms, and the other 23 hours of the day they are kept in crates.
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