Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has signed a bill that repeals previous legislation allowing dog racing in the Nutmeg State and added provisions that specifically ban it.
End of an Error
The only two dog tracks in Connecticut are Plainfield Greyhound Park and Shoreline Star Greyhound Park in Bridgeport, both having closed nearly 20 years ago which means the only dog racing in the state is taking place illegally or not at all. The dog racing industry has fallen on hard times as animal rights advocates have been vocal in their opposition, and politicians have taken notice.
Therefore, it wasn’t much of a surprise when Governor Ned Lamont decided to close the door forever on the industry in the Nutmeg State by signing into law Public Act 24-1 – An Act Concerning Dog Racing which will officially take effect on October 1, 2024. Because both greyhound parks have been dark since 2005, there isn’t a chance of a last-minute reprieve in resuscitating an industry that flatlined long ago.
“Dog racing is a cruel activity and it has no place in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “It’s mindboggling to think that at one time people considered this a legitimate sport, and I give credit to animal advocacy groups for their activism that has raised awareness about the abuse and extreme conditions these dogs face, leading to bans in nearly every state across the country. Signing this bill is an easy decision.”
Did you hear the greyt news? Lawmakers just voted to make Connecticut the 43rd state to outlaw dog racing! #goodbyecruelty Thank you to State Representative Mike D’Agostino and State Representative David Rutigliano for championing this historic measure on the House Floor tonight.… pic.twitter.com/NJXXVPbRN2
— GREY2K USA Worldwide (@GREY2KUSA) April 30, 2024
Universal Support
The political calculus in opposing an industry that has not only been vilified but has laid dormant for nearly two decades is rather simple. There would be nothing but social media backlash if a lawmaker decided that opposing the Governor’s edict on banning dog racing was effectuated.
On the other hand, approving of the measure is a no-risk, all-reward endeavor, which is why public support from the governor’s political colleagues was immediate and effusive. The bill to end dog racing emanated in the Senate and passed the House by a vote of 131-17 and once the legislation had been passed, getting the governor to sign it would prove to be effortless.
Taking Precautions
State Rep. Mike D’Agostino, D-Hamden, co-chairman of the legislative General Law Committee, said after the bill was approved, “Yes, it is a feel-good bill. No, we do not currently have dog racing in the state of Connecticut. I understand there are much more important things for us to be doing. How is a bill that simply removes the authority to approve dog track racing in the state of Connecticut 21 pages long? Because we over-regulated the hell out of everything in this state.”
After the governor signed the legislation a few weeks later, Representative D’Agostino said: “I want to thank Governor Lamont for allowing Connecticut to join 46 other states that have banned dog racing. While there has not been an active dog racetrack in the state since 2005, it is important that Connecticut state unequivocally that this practice will not return.
“And if nothing else, we have removed from the general statutes pages and pages of unnecessary regulations that have not been needed for 20 years, and now will not be needed again.”
State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria (R-Beacon Falls, Derby, Seymour), co-chair of the legislature’s Animal Advocacy Caucus, stated: “It took a bit longer than we hoped to get this important, commonsense bill passed but that effort was absolutely worth it, knowing that from this day forward dogs in Connecticut will be safe from being forced to endure dangerous and inhumane treatment in the name of sport.
“I appreciate and want to thank each and every colleague who joined our efforts to ban dog racing in Connecticut, especially Governor Lamont who has been committed to animal protection.”
