AKC URGES MEMBERS TO VOTE “NO” ON QUESTION 13

The American Kennel Club (AKC), the leading national registry of purebred dogs, has taken a position opposed to Question 13, the Constitutional amendment to ban live greyhound racing in Florida.

The organization’s position is based on its policy regarding the use of dogs in sporting, working and competition activities. That policy reads as follows: “The AKC encourages and strongly supports the interaction and mutual enjoyment of owners and dogs in sporting activities such as hunting and field trials; in working circumstances such as herding, tracking, and pulling; and in competition events such as dog shows, obedience trials, agility trials, and other performance events and tests. The AKC believes that dogs should be properly cared for, humanely trained, and not pushed beyond reasonable limits for which they were bred.

 Accordingly, the American Kennel Club does not support proposed Florida Amendment 13.”

The AKC statement also notes that numerous greyhound enthusiast and animal welfare groups oppose the ban, including Greyhound Adopters for Racing and the National Animal Interest Alliance.