Place your bets now-- the days of dog racing in Arizona could be numbered.
Tracks in Phoenix and Apache Junction have gone dark. But there's still racing in Tucson. The practice has come under fire here and nationally by those who say it's inhumane.
That includes state Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson. "Greyhound racing isn't a sport. It's a cruel practice that's like one step above dog fighting on the scale."
Track owners have fought efforts to make it illegal, until now.
What's changed is a deal that will have them shut down the track at the end of the year, but only if they can keep their exclusive right to operate off-track betting parlors in Southern Arizona for another two years. The deal would generate about $500,000 a year from the Phoenix horse tracks who want to reach gamblers in the Tucson area.
The move drew fire from Rory Goree, chairman of the Arizona Racing Commission. He told the Senate Finance Committee that dog racing should not be banned statewide just because Tucson Greyhound Park has agreed to a deal. And he rejected the contention that the practice is cruel.
"I know in the media you have heard a lot of lies about Tucson Greyhound Park. Those dogs are not as bad off as people that you heard earlier, or the media, claim," Goree said.