LETTER TO FLORIDA DIVISION OF PARI-MUTUEL WAGERING

Jul 15, 2003 - Greyhound Protection League
P.O. 669 Penn Valley, CA 95946
888.842.4404

July 14, 2003

Royal Logan
Chief Operations Officer
Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering 1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1035

Dear Mr. Logan:

The Greyhound Protection League is requesting a formal investigation into the recent greyhound fatality that occurred at the Palm Beach Kennel Club, as well as the extremely dangerous racing conditions which exist at this track.

Based on eyewitness reports, a greyhound was knocked to the side and caught inside the rail during a race that occurred on Sunday, July 11, 2003. The dog was then struck by the lure mechanism and later euthanized. In media accounts, the track has minimized safety conditions and specific facts that led up to this accident. For this reason, we urge you to include a request of the video copy of the 7th race in which the accident occurred for your investigation.

The Greyhound Protection League has reviewed the race results of the Palm Beach Kennel Club and found a disturbing and obvious trend. A review of race results for the week leading up to this fatality, as well as a random review for the last 6 months, revealed:

* An estimated 166 collisions occurred the week leading up to the fatality (9 race cards), almost all around the first turn, and with only a handful of races being completed without incident;
* An estimated 158 bumps, predominantly at the first turn, during this same period;
* During this week, at least 6 dogs were knocked into the rail very similar to what may have occurred with the dog that was killed.
* Going back at least 6 months, a similar collision rate is evident;
* The records reflect an astounding number of accidents involving a collision of all 8 greyhounds around the first turn, resulting in entanglement and the trampling of dogs.

As you know, greyhounds that bump or collide often suffer career and/or life-ending injuries.

In addition, we are concerned with the position the track has taken with regard to action that could have been taken to prevent the death of this greyhound and the obvious and unsafe conditions that extant at the track. We feel that the track has failed to implement the following controls:

* Replacement of the fixed mechanical arm with a fully retractable arm at any location on the rail. It is our understanding that this technology is in use elsewhere.
* A mechanism by which the lure can be significantly slowed and stopped when needed.
* Replacement of the current, outdated motor with newer technology, such as a properly guarded lightweight motor or other even safer technology.
* The installation of physical barriers, cover plates, drop clothes, etc. that would lessen the risk of a greyhound being physically "caught" in the inside rail after being bumped or collided with.
* Providing proper training to the brakeman, lure operator, lead-outs and track management to handle such an emergency.

Furthermore, based on an ongoing disregard for safety concerns, it is our contention that the track has consistently failed to:
* Address collision, bumping and injury rates when the increase was most certainly obvious at least 6 months ago. As a result, the track disregarded safety concerns and placed the greyhounds in harms way. They should have anticipated that a serious and grotesque death or injury was imminent.
* Provide safe track construction that provided turns that are properly banked, maintained and are not too tight. The best indicator of the severity of this hazard is available by obtaining a log of injury rates at Palm Beach Kennel Club.
* Consider safer technology in the selection of their lure mechanism even though the costs for design of safer technology might exceed the costs of the current mechanism.

As you know, this is not the only fatality that has occurred at a Florida dog track as a result of a greyhound being struck by the lure mechanism. We are requesting a formal review of the mechanical lure mechanism at all tracks and the consideration that safer alternatives exist or could be designed.

It is the primary obligation of racetracks to provide safe racing conditions for racing dogs and to ensure a fair race for the betting public.

We would be happy to provide you with the information used in our investigation into this tragic occurrence. We look forward to your response in this matter.

Respectfully,

Lenka Perron
Greyhound Protection League Representative

Cc: Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida

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