Florida is home to 12 of the 19 greyhound racing tracks in the country. It us also one of the few places where the use of steroids in the dogs is permitted.
However, a new bill would ban injecting racing greyhounds with anabolic steroids. The Florida House's Commerce Committee approved the bill Tuesday. It is now heading to the House floor.
Anabolic injects are already banned in Great Britain and Australia, where the sport remains popular.
Orlando Dem. Rep. and bill sponsor Carlos Guillermo Smith says the use of steroids keeps female greyhounds from going into heat and losing race days. He's equates the drug use to "pre-game dog doping."
Reps. from Florida's Greyhound industry argue steroids don't enhance performance. Some legislators have discussed the possibility of an amendment that would allow exemptions when medically necessary.