Court rejects track owners’ bid to scrap racing ban referendum

REVERE – The state’s highest court has rejected a challenge by dog track owners who wanted to eliminate a November ballot question asking voters whether to ban dog racing in Massachusetts.The track owners argued the proposed ban could not be put to a statewide ballot vote because it is aimed exclusively at the two places where dog racing currently exists: Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere and the Raynham-Taunton Dog Track in Raynham.But the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled Tuesday that racing amounts to a matter of statewide concern. The court said the Legislature and the people have the power – through the initiative process – to abolish animal racing that involves betting.”This ruling is a victory for every dog lover in Massachusetts,” said Christine Dorchak, co-chairperson of the Committee to Protect Dogs, the coalition pushing the ban.”We are confident that once voters learn the facts about this cruel industry, they will vote yes for the dogs on Question Three.”The ruling is an initial victory for the coalition in its bid to ban dog racing as of Jan. 1, 2010, claiming over 800 greyhound dogs have been injured racing since 2002. Most of the injuries involved broken bones, according to the Committee.The proposed ban threatens an industry that employs 350 Wonderland workers, half of whom live in Revere, Saugus and Lynn where kennels also employ workers.Track owners have pushed without success since 2003 to win legislative approve to install slot machines in the tracks. Wonderland President Richard Dalton estimates that adding slots to Wonderland will boost employment to 1,350 workers. Most of the new jobs would be restaurant related.He led a charge by track owners during the spring to revive the slots-at-tracks debate with legislators in hopes of building on the long-time support of Revere state Reps. Robert DeLeo and Kathi-Anne Reinstein.Track owners claim allowing 2,000 slot machines at four Massachusetts racetracks could generate $1.1 billion in revenue now being spent at Rhode Island and Connecticut racetracks.”This is our money and it needs to stay here in Massachusetts,” Dalton said.They claim slots, with state approval, could be installed and running in Wonderland and three other tracks in 90 days.