Yes On Question 3 — End The Brutality In A Dying Industry

Question 3 is a ballot initiative question that would gradually phase out greyhound racing. It would enact a "Greyhound Protection Act."

I urge you to support it by voting "YES" on Question 3.

I believe this law has a good chance of winning, but it needs your support.

First some background:

• I usually do not support state-wide ballot questions in general, and this year I do not support questions 1 or 2.
  
• I'm not a dog person, I'm a cat person.  I tolerate dogs, and there are the occasional neighborhood dogs whom I like; but that's it.  I had a dog when I was a little child, but that's never going to happen again.

I'm greatly concerned, however, with cruelty — especially when it is unnecessary and senseless. Cruelty is not just bad for its victims, but it also makes us a bunch of barbarians. To me, It's not the dogs who matter — rather I'm concerned about us humanfolk and the horrible things we are doing.

If you have any doubt whether greyhounds suffer on the track - why not ask the track owners themselves? One of the tracks has photographs and videos that document excessive confinement and brutal injuries. "This footage puts an end to the discussion on whether greyhounds suffer on the track,” said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “They do suffer, and they do so for a dying industry that has no place in the new economy of Massachusetts.”

Why do we senselessly abuse dogs for no reason?

The tracks are losing money already. They're greatly subsidized by the state government. They're just holding out for the prospect of legalized slot machines: they want to become or dog tracks with slot machines, called "racinos."

Massachusetts is one of the very few states that allows dog racing.  Currently there are two commercial dog tracks in Massachusetts.

Greyhound racing is a dying industry.

If, like me, you're a free-marketeer who thinks government should get out of propping up an entire industry that's nevertheless failing, then you already support this law. Opposing Question 3 will not save any jobs. Those jobs are already artificially supported up by state subsidies which violate my sense of basic capitalism. In the last five years, gambling revenue in the two greyhound tracks dropped between 37% and 65% and even the tracks' owners admit that their businesses are failing.

If you're an animal owner, can you imagine these horrors being imposed on your beloved pet? You already support this law.

You can learn more at ProtectDogs.org.

This is not some wacked-out idea proposed by a bunch of unknown extemists. The Humane Society of the United States, and MSPCA-Angell are proponents. The Massachusetts Council of Churches supports this proposed law.

And I think you do, too.

Show your support on November 4 and Vote Yes on Question 3.

Please spread the message and forward this blog to your friends across the commonwealth.