An effort to reopen the defunct Waterloo Greyhound Park as a dog racing and casino gambling complex has been dealt a blow by an Iowa court ruling. Black Hawk County District Judge Stephen Clarke this week upheld an October 2005 decision by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to deny state gambling licenses to the National Cattle Congress. "I was not impressed with their business plan," Judge Clarke said. "Especially the part that projected revenues would be higher from the pop machine at the track than from the dog racing."
Kenneth Nelson, a second year law student who represents the Cattle Congress, said Thursday a decision had not been made whether to appeal Clarke’s ruling. "We haven't gotten to appeals in class yet," he told reporters.
“We are disappointed with the ruling, obviously, not only because it wasn’t in our favor, but frankly it seemed to afford little weight to the facts and evidence that we presented on behalf of the Cattle Congress,” Nelson said. "I mean, when the judge asked where the people would come from we told him there's a bus stop two blocks away. What does he want anyway?"
The financially troubled Waterloo dog track shut down in 1996 after state regulators declined to renew its racing license. State officials said at the time the track was unable to make a profit, which violated state regulations requiring tracks to be financially viable.
"Viable schniable," Nelson said. "We were planning on selling souvenirs. Do you know what the markup is on that stuff?"
Hey, cheer up boys. It could be worse.
A bipartisan bill called the “Dog Protection Act” could shut down the New Hampshire's three greyhound tracks within two years if it becomes law. "It's very disheartening that the state cares more about the dogs than the people who exploit them," said Joseph Sullivan, president of Hinsdale Greyhound Park. "And what about the old people? What are they going to do with their social security money if the tracks close?"
The six legislators sponsoring the bill argue kennel conditions at the tracks are inhumane and dogs have suffered hundreds of serious or fatal injuries over the past two years. "Sure dogs have been hurt and killed," Sullivan said. "But we can get more. It's not a problem."
Well, maybe not a problem for him, but you probably have a different perspective on that, huh Prima?
Prima is very sweet, easygoing, and a little timid around loud voices. She has started to play with toys. She gets excited in the morning because she knows it is “walk time” and will nose her foster mom to let her know she is ready. She loves petting and brushing. Prima would do well in a working family home with well-mannered, older children, 5 and up. She is good with other dogs and would probably be fine as an only dog. For more information about this dog, and other rescued racing greyhounds looking for homes, go here. If you don't know about the plight of racing greyhounds go here.
Bongo Update He is much more confident. He is not afraid of loud noises. Bongo is a very curious dog; his nose is into everything. He tends to “counter-surf” and his foster mom is working on correcting this. He’s doing less “counter-surfing” Even though he is a tall boy and can reach the table, he is getting better with his table manners. He knows “wait”, “NO” and “leave it.” He has become the attention hound and always wants to be near his foster mom.
’)
No comments:
Post a Comment