This Legislation Was A Real Mutt

Idaho lawmakers, including state Rep. Jim Stoicheff, D-Sandpoint, had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads 12 years ago when they legalized greyhound racing.

Local promoters, such as Coeur d’Alene businessman Duane Hagadone, predicted the state’s first track at Post Falls would become a regional tourist draw, with huge annual handles supporting local government and education. Industry representatives promised the dogs would be treated well during their racing careers and adopted out afterward.

Now, of course, we know those predictions and promises were malarkey.

Dog carcasses began appearing at area landfills almost as soon as the Coeur d’Alene Greyhound Park opened a decade ago. Tales of animal cruelty hounded the track until December 1995 when it suspended live racing. At the time, the track was losing $3 million annually and had one of the worst reputations in the industry.

Not surprisingly, North Idahoans were relieved when the 1996 Legislature backed Stoicheff’s bill to outlaw dog racing again. Last week, dog lovers again had reason to cheer. By a 10-8 vote, the House State Affairs Committee rejected a race industry attempt to continue dog-racing simulcasts at the greyhound park indefinitely. This, after Stoicheff graciously agreed two years ago to ease the transition for track employees by allowing the live simulcasts to continue until July 1, 1999.

Even lawmakers can tire of too many lies.

State Reps. Jim Clark, R-Hayden, and Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum, were the culprits who tried to beat this dead horse, er, dog back to life. The two Republicans co-sponsored legislation that would have eliminated the phaseout deadline.

“The world has totally changed since then,” rationalized Clark, a freshman legislator. “Simulcasting is much different.” Meyer, on the other hand, believes the ban only hurts Idahoans. He said: “If we don’t simulcast dog races, it isn’t going to make a bit of difference in those other states (where dog races are held).”

The bottom line has blinded both Republicans.

Greyhound racing is the cruelest of sports. Only the fastest pups survive the litter. Only the lucky ones wind up in the hands of a good owner or trainer. Only the luckiest dogs avoid being killed and are adopted out when their racing days are over.

This blood sport shouldn’t be allowed in Idaho in any form.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board