Question 3 Greyhound Racing Ban Approved in MA
Question 3 Passes, MA Ban on Dog Racing to be Phased in by 2010
Nov 4, 2008
On Election Day, November 4, 2008, Massachusetts' vote went to the dogs - literally, as Massachusetts citizens voted yes on Question 3, approving The Greyhound Protection Act.
The majority vote of "yes" on Ballot Question 3 in Massachusetts means that greyhound racing will be banned. The existing dog racing tracks in Massachusetts will be ordered to shut down by January 1, 2010, as commercial dog racing is slowly "phased out" in the Baystate.
Massachusetts Ballot Question 3 passed, with 56 percent of voters voting "yes" on Question 3, and 44 percent of voters voting "no" on Question 3. A majority vote was required to pass The Greyhound Protection Act.
The Argument Against MA Question 3
There are many reasons why some voters decided to cast a "no" vote on Question 3. Many voters who voted "no" on Question 3 in MA subscribed to one of several schools of thought:
- Dog racing shouldn't be banned; instead, tighter dog racing regulations should be imposed to ensure humane care of greyhound racing dogs.
- Dog racing provides valuable jobs to racing dog kennel workers and to greyhound track workers. Abolishing commercial dog racing by approving Question 3 will cause the elimination of Massachusetts jobs during a difficult economic time.
- Commercial dog tracks don't treat their animals badly; claims of animal abuse and poor kennel conditions are exaggerated or fabricated by Question 3 supporters.
The Argument In Favor of MA Question 3
Massachusetts voters who voted "yes" on Question 3 likely bought in to one or all of the following arguments against commercial dog racing. The Massachusetts Committee to Protect Dogs offered up the four following claims that they feel justify a ban on dog tracks and dog racing in Massachusetts:
- Racing dogs endure lives of inhumane confinement. "At local racetracks, thousands of 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. By contrast, the runs used for large dogs at the MSPCA are five times larger than racetrack cages."
- Greyhounds are seriously injured as a result of dog racing. "According to state records more than 800 racing greyhounds have been injured since 2002, including dogs who suffered broken legs, paralysis, head trauma and even death from cardiac arrest. A greyhound is injured every three to four days in Massachusetts. Nearly 80% of all reported injuries were broken legs. Most injuries are serious."
- Greyhound racing is a dying industry, so banning dog racing will simply speed up the inevitable, saving many dogs in the process. "Dog racing is a dying industry in Massachusetts. Between 2002 and 2007, the total amount gambled at Wonderland Greyhound Park and Raynham Park declined by 65% and 37%, respectively. Even dog track owners acknowledge their businesses are failing."
- Racing dogs are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment on a daily basis. "In one month in 2005 nineteen dogs at Wonderland Greyhound Park died from a mysterious illness. In late 2003 and early 2004, a greyhound at Wonderland Greyhound Park tested positive twice for cocaine, an illegal stimulant. To reduce costs, dogs are fed meat from dying, diseased or downed livestock that has been deemed unfit for human consumption. This meat contains denatured charcoal to discourage human use."
What Happens Now that The Greyhound Protection Act (Question 3) Has Passed in Massachusetts?
The passage of Massachusetts Ballot Question 3 (The Greyhound Protection Act) means that commercial dog tracks will be required to close by January 1, 2010. The Greyhound Protection Act calls for commercial dog racing to be phased out during 2009, in time for the January 1, 2010 deadline.
In addition, Massachusetts voters also approved Ballot Question 2 at the polls on November 4, 2008. A majority vote of "yes" on Question 2 means that it will no longer be a crime to be in possession of less than one ounce of marijuana. The new $100 fines for marijuana possession will got into effect in Massachusetts on December 4, 2008.
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