The ASPCA & National Animal Protection Groups Urge Governor Jeb Bush to Veto Racetrack Gambling Bill

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Thursday, 31 July 2003

Bush to decide fate of high-stakes poker bill on Monday, August 4th.

Today, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and two national animal protection groups, with more than 300,000 Florida members and constituents, are asking Governor Jeb Bush to veto House Bill 1059, which would legalize high-stakes poker at Florida dog tracks.

"This bill would prop up the cruelty of dog racing by legalizing high-stakes poker at the tracks," said Lisa Weisberg, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Policy for the ASPCA. "Each year, thousands of greyhounds are killed when they are no longer profitable at the track."

Governor Bush has until Monday to sign, veto or allow H.B. 1059 to pass into law. He vetoed a bill last year that was nearly identical to this measure. Today, The ASPCA, The Humane Society of the United States and GREY2K USA has sent a joint letter to Governor Bush urging him to veto H.B. 1059.

The cruelty that is often associated with greyhound racing was highlighted in May 2002 when an Alabama man admitted shooting thousands of greyhounds for $10 each. The dogs, which came from racetracks across Florida, were shipped to his farm to be killed when they were no longer fast enough to be profitable as racers.our online adoption partner www.petfinder.com.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org