Senate could revisit greyhound injury reporting

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After the issue failed to pass the House this spring, a Senate Democrat renewed a push Friday to require reporting of injuries suffered by racing greyhounds.

Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, filed a bill (SB 412) that will be considered during the 2016 legislative session and is dubbed the "Victoria Q. Gaetz Racing Greyhound Protection Act" -- after animal-rights supporter Vicky Gaetz, the wife of Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and mother of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach.

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Senate leaders made a priority of the injury-reporting issue during the 2015 session, quickly passing a Sobel-sponsored bill. But the measure did not get through the House.

The proposal, in part, would require that injuries to racing greyhounds be reported to the state Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering within seven days by veterinarians, owners, trainers or kennel operators, depending on where the injuries occur.