Cross posted from the Pro Dog website, http://www.protectdogs.org/Index.html

"It is a sad moment for the dogs of Massachusetts. The Supreme Judicial Court, at the urging of track owner George Carney, struck the Dog Protection Act from the ballot.

Massachusetts citizens will not be allowed to vote to protect dogs in November.

The Dog Protection act was designed to create stronger laws to protect all dogs. This humane measure sought to strengthen laws against dog fighting, increase penalties for harming law enforcement and guide dogs, and phase out dog racing by 2008. The Court ruled today that these are not related subjects and could not be placed before voters!

We are extremely surprised and disappointed by this ruling. We want to thank everyone who volunteered for this phase of the campaign and to reassure you all that we will continue fighting."

Please also note that Charles Sarkis, owner of Wonderland, another greyhound race track, is also the CEO of the Back Bay Restaurant Group. BBRG operates Abe & Louie's, Paparazzi, Joe's American Bar and Grill, Charley's and Atlantic Fish Company. There has been a move to boycott these establishments, which generate far more revenue for Sarkis than Wonderland, according to The Patriot Ledger (http://www.southofboston.net/specialreports/casinos/pages/folo-1-18-03.html).