IE: Investigation opened into doping of greyhounds

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From www.thejournal.ie

Investigation opened into doping of greyhounds

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Image: John Walton/EMPICS Sport

THE GARDAÍ ARE to investigate the doping of greyhounds at two prominent
coursing events this summer, say activists.

The dogs were given prohibited substances at two of the top hare coursing
events of the season.

Doping

The Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports (CACS) and the Association of
Hunt Saboteurs (AOHS) sought a garda investigation as they believe that
doping of greyhounds is an offence that should be addressed under anti-drugs
legislation.

Those responsible for the doping have already been subject to internal Irish
Coursing Club penalties.

Today, the groups said they are delighted that the Gardaí have now commenced
an investigation into the incidents.

Performance

John Fitzgerald of CACS told TheJournal.ie that greyhounds are often doped
to get them to perform better at such events.

The people involved have already admitted the offence. We feel the law of
the land should take its course.

He said the owners being investigated could face heavy fines and a possible
prison term for misuse of certain substances.

The drugs “can be quite dangerous to dogs. They can affect the dog’s nervous
system, its health and general welfare,” said Fitzgerald.

The unfortunate thing is these drugs can have a lasting effect on the dogs.

The drugs can cause heart problems in the dogs and can be very damaging, he
said. “There is a drug called EPO – it can have horrendous effects on the
dogs in the long term.”

Dumped

He added that when a greyhound “has outlived its usefulness” and cannot race
any more, “many greyhounds are just abandoned in a casual way and dumped”.
“There is a need for greater awareness of this,” said Fitzgerald.

He pointed out that the greyhound is a popular domestic companion in the
USA, but in Ireland they are not so popular. This leads to healthy dogs
being put down rather than re-homed as animal rescue centres cannot find
homes for them.

“Irish people are slow to accept greyhounds as pets,” said Fitzgerald. “It
would be good if more people adopted them as pets.

CACS and AOHS are hoping that the Government will take a serious view of
this doping issue and clamp down on it.

While the ICC says it has imposed its own penalties on those responsible, we
regard its response as totally inadequate and therefore requested a full
Garda investigation with a view to seeking criminal prosecutions.

Hare coursing

The groups are renewing their appeal to all TDs and Senators to press for
the banning of hare coursing via the Animal Health and Welfare Bill that is
currently progressing through the Oireachtas.

We believe the government should re-think its reprehensible plan to exempt
hare coursing from prohibition under the Bill in light of these latest
unsavoury findings concerning the doping of greyhounds, which adds a further
dimension of animal suffering and blatant malpractice to an already cruel
blood sport.