Stakeholders angry at the decision to ban dog racing

Promoters and other stakeholders expressed their disgust at the Government for banning dog racing without any explanation. They are demanding answers as they have already invested resources into setting up for the new sport. One promoter shared that dogs were already on the way to Jamaica.

Published Wednesday, February 10, 1960

DOG RACING BANNED

-Citizens in Dunoon Park area, Christian Council protest proposed new sport

-Isaacs directive bars importation of animals

-SOME MAY BE ON THEIR WAY HERE

DOG racing, which was to have been Jamaica’s newest sport, has been banned. An announcement of the ban was made yesterday by the Hon Wills O. Isaacs, minister of trade and industry, who issued the following statement:

“I have directed the Trade Board in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Law, 1955, to put the importation of dogs for racing purposes as well as the equipment required for dog racing on specific licensing. I have at the same time directed the Trade Board that no licences are to be granted for the admission of such dogs or equipment into the island.”

This move has followed an outburst of protests from many sources, chief being residents in and around the Dunoon Park area in Eastern Kingston, where the racing stadium was to have been situated.

Citizens of the area sent letters of protest to the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Iris King; the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Hon William Seivright; and the Minister of Education, the Hon. Florizel Glasspole, who is the MHR, for the constituency; the Jamaica Christian Council and the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

On Monday, another letter of protest was sent to Mr Glasspole by the headteachers of Vauxhall Senior School, Camperdown High School, Vaz Preparatory School, Rollington Town Junior School, and Homestead School, which are all situated in the same area.

Government dishonest - promoter

The following statement was issued last night by Mr Bob Sturrock, a director of Greyhound Racing Ltd.

“We are shocked at government action regarding our greyhound racing venture. By putting dogs and equipment under import control and refusing import licences rather than legislating against as outright, we get the impression that they may be holding the door open for some other promoting body at some future time.

“We consider this action undemocratic in the extreme. We have paid to the government some £650 in stamp duty and 258 in club registration. Why should government accept these fees, knowing that they intended to stop us?

This is downright dishonest.

“One of our members had already obtained a permit for the entry of some greyhounds, and we have every reason to believe that they are now on the way to Jamaica. Is the Government going to reimburse the cost of these dogs, as if they cannot race, they have no value here?

“When starting our venture, we took legal opinion and were advised that there was nothing in the existing laws of the island that would prevent us from operating. This was confirmed by the minister of social welfare and is obvious in as much as both horse racing and cycle racing take place regularly.

“If the objection is to betting rather than the sport of greyhound racing, can the Government tell us why they allow betting on horse racing and cycle racing and also allow the Coney Island to operate various forms of betting?

“If the objection is that we may disturb the peace of a densely populated area in Kingston, why were we not asked to find an alternative site outside the city limits?

“Greyhound racing as conducted in England and America provides good, clean entertainment for thousands, and since betting is already allowed on other sports, why are we being discriminated against?

“We have heard the objection from the Church Council, but we have not heard the opinion of the Anglican Bishop of the Roman Catholic Bishop.”

For feedback: contact the Editorial Department at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.