Florida encounters legal battle on dog racing

The Department of State of Florida has been sued by the Florida Greyhound Association.

US.- The Florida Greyhound Association filed a suit yesterday against the Department of State of Florida, according to a local newspaper. The Florida media revealed that the group that represents the State’s greyhound owners and breeders demands that the government explains what will be included in November’s ballot that seeks gaming expansion – among other proposals.

The gaming group stated that the ballot title and summary “… fail to inform voters that its passage would essentially expand gambling by allowing pari-mutuel facilities in Florida to convert to mini-casinos.” Furthermore, The group demands a court order preventing the division “from placing Amendment No. 13 on the ballot for the November 2018 General Election.”

James Blanchard, president of the group, signed the suit introduced last Thursday in Leon County Circuit Civil court against the Department of State, which include the Division of Elections, and Secretary of State Ken Detzner.

Amendment 13, which will be included on November’s ballot. “would not end dog racing,” according to the lawsuit, but would rather only prohibit betting on dog races. “A voter might well be misled into approving Amendment 13 based on the belief that the effect of the amendment is to end all dog racing,” the complaint says.