Greenleaf Dog Racing Simulcast Ban Approved by Senate 

HARRISBURG—The Senate unanimously approved a measure offered by Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf to prohibit the simulcasts of greyhound races into Pennsylvania for commercial purposes.

Greenleaf said that Pennsylvania Citizens Against Greyhound Racing (PCAGR), a group supporting his legislation, claim that about 19,000 greyhounds are killed annually because they are not fast enough to compete in the industry.  He also pointed to the concern that expanded gaming in the form of slots parlors in the commonwealth might lead to attempts to simulcast dog racing for wagering purposes.

The senator authored a bill last session banning commercial greyhound racing in Pennsylvania.  It became law as part of Act 36 of 2004.  Although Pennsylvania did not have dog tracks in operation at the time the law was passed, Greenleaf said he wanted to be proactive in preventing the business from opening in the state.  He said that same principle led to the introduction of Senate Bill 773, the simulcast bill.

Currently, according to PCAGR, greyhound races are simulcast to tracks, casinos, and off-track betting parlors in 17 states, including two states that prohibit dog racing.  Greenleaf said that his legislation will ensure that Pennsylvania, a state in which many greyhounds no longer wanted by the racing industry are adopted as pets, does not take part in promoting an industry in which greyhounds may be mistreated or killed.

The bill would make it a misdemeanor of the first degree to transmit or receive simulcasting of a greyhound race for commercial purposes.