BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. - A local landmark is the center of celebration and controversy Saturday night. Racing fans reminisce while animal lovers speak out.

For a half century, Southwest Floridians have flocked to the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs.

But, not everyone is nostalgic Saturday night. Some people are protesting the sport.

Protesters littered the streets with signs, and retired injured greyhounds.

"It breaks my heart," says Christine Dorchak. Thousands of dogs are raced at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track. People protesting at the track say, not all of the dogs make it out alive. "Injuries include broken bones, paralysis, seizures, this is no fun for greyhounds," Dorchak tells WINK News.

"It's a bad bet for people and for greyhounds," Dorchak continues.

Saturday night's race is a supermarathon in celebration of 50 years of the track. A track spokesperson did not comment about the length of the race.

The protesters did. "They break out of those boxes and run full speed ahead and they'll do that for 990 yards," says protester Judy Paulsun.

Track spokesman Juan Fra says the track usually doesn't comment about the use of greyhounds. He did tell WINK News, "We're committed to greyhound racing, we treat our animals well and the dogs love to race."

Paulsun disagrees, "To put them into a race like this in Florida, a super marathon especially on a hot humid day I can't think of anything more dangerous for these dogs."

The group protesting tries to adopt as many retired greyhounds as possible, and their goal is to make greyhound racing illegal in all states.

Mary Danelian wants to say to the people who run this track but could not tell WINK News, "I probably couldn't use the words on television."

Another local group is also dedicated adopting greyhounds. They are called Homes for Happy Hounds.

Their telephone number is 239-465-3445.