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Legislation requiring the reporting of Greyhound racing injuries unanimously cleared a Senate Committee in the State Capitol today, and supporters make no bones about their real objective, which is to prohibit the sport all together.

74 Greyhounds died in track related accidents during the first year of reporting. More have died since. Now lawmakers want every injury reported,

“Everyone loses when dogs race” began bill sponsor Eleanor Sobel as she spoke to the Regulated Industries Committee. She made no bones bones about her real objective.  “So let’s make this year the one that we make a step toward ending this archaic and barbaric practice.”

The reporting legislation is being supported by dog breeders and owners…but they want to go further: They want to require tracks to fix the things causing injuries. Those include bad surfaces, exposed high voltage lines running the lure around the track, and making the arm holding the lure flexible. Jack Cory, representing the FL Greyhound Association, says the changes can make an immediate difference. “We can stop deaths and injuries now. We could cut down by 50% the animal deaths immediately.” says Cory.

Grey 2 K USA, which advocates for the end of dog racing didn’t speak at the hearing, but executive Director Carey Thiel had plenty to say afterward. “I don’t believe greyhound injury reporting will end Greyhound racing, but it will directly help a large number of dogs.”

With 12 active tracks, Florida licenses more Greyhound racing  than any other state.

Breeders say Greyhound racing creates 3 thousand jobs.

And breeders, through Cory, are pointed about what they call the real objective of the reporting legislation. “Their ultimate goal is to do away with live Greyhound racing and become mini casinos.”

The bill cleared it’s first hurdle unanimously.

The legislation has been filed for the last eight years. Last year it cleared the State Senate but was never voted upon in the House.