Nov 4, 2009 7:14 pm US/Eastern
Dog Track's Request To Simulcast Denied
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The doors at the Raynham-Taunton dog track just closed a little tighter today, after the State Racing Commission denied a request for simulcasting after January 1, 2010. "We were looking for a one-year extension, to keep 600 people employed," said track Manager Gary Temple.
Last November, the state's voters approved a measure that outlaws paramutual betting on dog racing. The vote effectively ends live dog racing in Massachusetts. "The people have spoken. They're in favor of ending a pastime that is cruel and inhumane to the dogs," said Christine Dorchak, of GREY2K USA, an organization that helped promote the vote last November.
But kennel owners say the voters have put them out of work and that tracks in other states, like Florida and Texas are full, and cannot take their dogs.
Al Smith owns nearly 150 greyhounds that he races, and says the voters got bad information. "People were saying things last year...wrong things...and those people never set foot in a kennel. I love my dogs, every one of them. I feed them the best food, and race them. They're the happiest dogs you've ever seen."
But come January 1, 2010, Smith will have to find something else to do with his dogs.
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