There is absolutely NOTHING in AZ state law that prohibits a local municipality from requiring more stringent animal welfare requirements than state law. For example, Pima County bans tie-outs of dogs, yet state law does not. Pima County absolutely has the legal authority to enforce kennel licensing laws and laws against the administration of anabolic steroids to female dogs to prevent estrus at TGP, and there is nothing in state law that requires them to notify the Department of Racing before an inspection or other enforcement activities. Director Walsh apparently knows more about pharmacology and veterinary medicine than the 90 veterinarians who supported the ban on steroids. Even the drug manufacturers of these controlled substances warn users against chronic administration of them to females and say they are only for occasional use. The deliberate flouting of the law by TGP is aided and abetted by Director Walsh, the Department of Racing, and the City of South Tucson. TGP is simply a disgrace.
There is little that comes from ADOR or the Racing Commission that is surprising. Dog racing is but one step above dog fighting. It has the thin veneer of so-called regulation when in reality, the ADOR and Racing Commission are interested only in protecting the industry - the hell with the dogs. We can only hope that the public's revulsion with this legalized animal cruelty will continue to grow, aided by the callous disregard for the dogs' welfare evinced by the track and its "regulators."
Thanks to Tim and the Weekly for another good article exposing the abysmal record of animal neglect at the dog track and failure to address it by the state's a Department of Racing.
Kudos to the Kippur family for doing the right thing! South Tucson is a caricature of a city - they ignore atrocious animal welfare violations, and make no effort to get the dog track to comply with the law. Shame on South Tucson government and bravo to Tucson Iron & Metal!
Have you ever seen how few people actually show up at TGP? Entertainment wanted by the public? I don't think so. The dogs run SOLELY to permit simulcasting of races of all kinds elsewhere. Three-quarters of their income comes from simulcasting, and it is TOTALLY untaxed profit, unlike in other states.
The out-of-state owners of TGP conveniently forgot to pay partnership/corporate taxes till they were caught, despite being mulitmillionaires.
Why do we subsidize with OUR tax dollars one form of "entertainment" when we don't subsidize golf courses, water parks for kids, movie theaters and other types of entertainment? Let the free market decide and tax them just like other businesses. They will fold within days once their corporate welfare check is cancelled.
Tom Taylor lied repeatedly to South Tucson City government, to the puiblic and to the media. A good man? Not in my estimation. Of course if you work in the dog cruelty world, lying, flaunting the law and thumbing your nose at the public is just fine.
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The out-of-state owners of TGP conveniently forgot to pay partnership/corporate taxes till they were caught, despite being mulitmillionaires.
Why do we subsidize with OUR tax dollars one form of "entertainment" when we don't subsidize golf courses, water parks for kids, movie theaters and other types of entertainment? Let the free market decide and tax them just like other businesses. They will fold within days once their corporate welfare check is cancelled.
Tom Taylor lied repeatedly to South Tucson City government, to the puiblic and to the media. A good man? Not in my estimation. Of course if you work in the dog cruelty world, lying, flaunting the law and thumbing your nose at the public is just fine.