November 5, 2010

Dear Friends:

This week, I'd like to thank two of our investigators in the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. The investigators are Chuck Taylor and Jim Barnes. The gentleman responded to a complaint from a greyhound adoption association that they were concerned about dogs in a kennel in Washington County. What the men discovered was devastating, and they immediately contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Since we are continuing the ongoing investigation, there is little I can disclose. However, I can tell you that this is one of the most heinous acts of animal cruelty against greyhounds we've seen— many were dead, few survived. The trainer potentially responsible is now behind bars.

Our Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering issued an emergency suspension order to immediately suspend the trainer's license and simultaneously filed an administrative complaint to permanently bar the trainer from ever working with another pari-mutuel wagering facility in Florida.

This fast response and follow-through is exactly what we should be doing. Our investigators were diligent in their work. We take our regulatory role at the department seriously, and we know that oftentimes, behind a call or piece of paper, there can be lives depending on us.

Thank you, Chuck and Jim.

Sincerely,

Charlie Liem
Secretary

Department of Business and
Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Customer Contact Center:
850.487.1395
www.MyFloridaLicense.com