Stoicheff Seeks Simulcast-Only Dog Track

Idaho’s greyhound racing industry would be limited to simulcast races under a bill by Rep Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint.

Current law allows greyhound tracks to have simulcast races only if they run at least two live races a year.

The new legislation would eliminate the live-race requirement and allow tracks such as the one in Post Falls to run simulcast races exclusively.

Horse racing, live or remote, would not be affected by the bill.

Stoicheff’s proposal is not as strict as one introduced by Rep Dolores Crow, R-Nampa. Crow’s bill would ban both live and simulcast races.

No provision was made in Crow’s bill for the Post Falls track.

The Idaho Legislature legalized greyhound racing in 1987, and Stoicheff says he regrets his vote of support. His new bill, he said, is an attempt to change what he calls a bad decision.

“I feel I made a horrible vote in 1987 and I’d like to redeem it.”

Virginia McKean, of the Greyhound Protection League, said allowing even simulcast racing contributes to animal abuse.

Dog racing “isn’t cartoons, nor is it animation,” said McKean. “The cruelty in live dog racing goes with the simulcast.”

But Chris Christian, veterinarian and chief executive officer of the Les Bois race track, said he discourages animal abuse at both the Les Bois and Post Falls tracks.

He even included a member of Greyhound Protection of America in his meeting with Gov. Phil Batt about racing regulations, he said.

“Animal welfare is my life,” said Christian.

The Les Bois track leased the Post Falls facility in January to simulcast greyhound races. He said eliminating simulcast racing would cost the remaining 50 jobs at the track.

Rep. Jeff Alltus, R-Coeur d’Alene, said ending simulcast racing would affect more than just the jobs at the Post Falls track.

, DataTimes