TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — After 72 years, Tucson Greyhound Park has hosted its final live dog race.
The park held its last race Saturday evening, weeks after Gov. Doug Ducey signed bills ending live dog racing in Arizona, the Arizona Daily Star reports.
Officials say all racing dogs will leave within days for their next venture, be it a greyhound rescue group or another, out-of-state racing venue.
It’s unknown how the track will re-create itself in the months and years ahead. The facility and the surrounding area includes about 60 acres of land, but for now it will stay open and continue to offer simulcast racing.
Track spokesman Michael Racy says track’s owners, Joseph Zappala and Philip Robert Consolo Jr. of Florida, are still evaluating what to do with the property next.
Tucson Greyhound Park opened in 1944 and has operated continuously since, with attendance steadily declining as more and more gambling patrons opt for the quick gratification of casino slot machines over wagering on dogs, Racy said.
“In the 1980s, it was very, very popular with big crowds. As a student at the UA, I’d go,” he said. “There was a great restaurant and it was a really fun way to spend a Saturday night.”
Dog and horse racing can only really compete now when there are also some slot machines on site, he said. Some states have gone that route, he said, but not Arizona.
Phoenix closed its track more than seven years ago.
Local rescue groups have remained busy since and will continue to operate even after all of the Tucson Greyhound Park dogs have been rescued or moved elsewhere.
Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption has taken in 43 dogs since April and is scheduled to take seven more Monday, said Renee Bennett, operations director with the nonprofit.
“Because we have taken in many more hounds than normal, it will take us a while to find suitable forever homes,” Bennett said. “Once we have adopted out most of those hounds, we plan to take hounds from the track in Tijuana.
