Governor signs greyhound injury reporting into law

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Greyhound advocates were thrilled Monday to find out that Governor Jan Brewer signed into law a racing omnibus that requires mandatory injury reporting.

Such a law could shed new light on what happens to the dogs at Tucson Greyhound Park. Not only must injury records be maintained, the Arizona Department of Racing must have the records available for public requests.

Such was the problem in early March when a dog bumped the electrified inside rail at TGP and died. A request by Tucson News Now to the Department of Racing for track rosters and kennel disposition logs was answered that the department doesn't maintain those records.

The new law requires signed records of the dog that was injured, where on the track it was injured, where the injury is on the dog, and how long recovery is estimated for the dog.

"I believe once people see that dogs are suffering broken legs, cracked skulls, and other serious injuries, even being electrocuted, so someone can place a two dollar bet on them, well that's going to open a lot of eyes in Arizona. We are going to call for a phase out of greyhound racing next session," said GREY2K USA president Christine Dorchak.

TGP general manager Dale Popp had yet to respond to message left for him at the track Monday evening.

The law likely takes effect in July, 90 days after the end of the legislative session.