Friday Hound Blogging

Well these are certainly tough times for the states and perhaps the overlords have a point when they say now is not the time to throw away a multi-billion dollar industry.

As lawmakers debate a proposal that would force Twin River to drop its plans to suspend live dog-racing, a 2004 state budget office report has resurfaced that disputes the greyhound owners’ recurring argument that that the loss of racing would cost the state millions and millions of video-slot dollars.

Well, there are millions and millions in a billion, right Governor Carcieri?

The debate that year centered on a different issue: Republican Governor Carcieri’s effort to end the state’s payment to the dog owners of upward of $10 million annually out of its own share of the video-slot play at what was then called Lincoln Park.

See, this is the problem with short sighted politicians. You take a vibrant industry like...wait a minute. Did he say the state subsidizes greyhound racing to the tune of 10 million?

Carcieri called it a state subsidy that primarily benefited out-of-state greyhound owners “living in places like Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.”

OK, we're not economists, but if the state is already subsidizing the industry, how is shutting it down going to cost them more?

The dog owners — and their backers at the State House — called it a part of a fair-share plan. "They want their fair share of your tax money," said Sen. Frank Ciccone, a Providence Democrat who was dropped on his head as a child. "Look, it's not like they can work for a living," he said. "Why do you think they got into dog racing in the first place?"

But the governor ultimately prevailed. State lawmakers ended the taxpayer subsidy. "This is a sad day for animal exploitation in Rhode Island," Ciccone said.

Yeah. Well, buck up senator. As we saw yesterday, the good people of Massachusetts are fighting back against those who would take away their right to abuse animals for profit. Speak truth to power dog exploiters. You will not be denied your rights!

Senators also rejected by a 29-8 vote an amendment to delay a greyhound racing ban by two years until January 2012.

Oh. Um...well...You know if Walmart's hiring King?

King is a charmer who will do anything for a treat. He loves to play and has a roo that will put a smile on your face. King likes to shake hands…he leans forward and takes a Pointer stand. He likes to get the treats and will give a 2 hand shake. He also likes to speak. He is a Second Chance at Life Dog from the Coldwater Prison Program. King would do well in a working family home with well-mannered children, 7 and up. He is good with other dogs of all sizes 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.

And if you 'd like to know more about the good work the Second Chance at Life program is doing for the dogs, and the prisoners, go here.