DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE INQUIRIES

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From www.thedogs.co.uk

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE INQUIRIES

The Disciplinary Committee of the GBGB were in attendance at a meeting held
on 10th July 2012:

Mr R Woodworth CBE (in the Chair)

Mr J Akerman

Mr K Salmon

Dr A Higgins – Independent Doping & Medication Adviser

MORPHINE POSITIVES

(i) HALL GREEN STADIUM –“MARTHAS BEST” – Professional Trainer Craig Andrews
– 25 November 2011 (date of positive test for morphine)

(ii) HALL GREEN STADIUM – “FROM THE GHETTO” –Professional Trainer Craig
Andrews -25 February 2012

(iii) PERRY BARR STADIUM – “SOL TINTO”/”SAYS YOU MOUSEY” – Sales Agent Tom
Connor -13 February 2012

(iv) MONMORE GREEN STADIUM –“BARBICAN BEAUTY” – Professional Trainer Paul
Slater – 16 February 2012

(v) MONMORE GREEN STADIUM –“SALEEN CRACKERS” - Professional Trainer Paul
Slater – 2 February 2012

(vi) MONMORE GREEN STADIUM – “MATEO” – Professional Trainer Paul Slater -2
February 2012

(vii) MONMORE GREEN STADIUM – “UNDERCOVER THADG” –Professional Trainer Paul
Slater -16 February 2012

(viii) MONMORE GREEN STADIUM- “CALL IT BETTY” – Professional Trainer Patrick
Curtin -2 February 2012

(ix) SHEFFIELD STADIUM –“OLD FORT CHIEF” – Sales Agent Brian Robinson -4
March 2012

(x) SHEFFIELD STADIUM – “NYLA FANTASY” – Professional Trainer Michael Walsh
-13 March 2012

(xi) NEWCASTLE STADIUM – “TORNAROY TASTY” –Professional Trainer Michael
Walsh – 23 February 2012

(xii) PELAW GRANGE STADIUM –“OLD FOLD RUBY” –Professional Trainer Harry
Burton -11 December 2011

(xiii) PELAW GRANGE STADIUM – “LEAHS GIRL” – Professional Trainer Harry
Burton – 12 February 2012

(xiv) PELAW GRANGE STADIUM – “SOPHIES MAGIC” – Professional Trainer Harry
Burton – 17 March 2012

(xv) PELAW GRANGE STADIUM – “ANNUAL CAUSE” – Professional Trainer Harry
Burton -25 March 2012

(xvi) OXFORD STADIUM – “HUDSON BAY” – Professional Trainer Richard Baker –
17 March 2012

(xvii) OXFORD STADIUM – TIMEOUT YASMIN” – Professional Trainer Richard Baker
– 22 March 2012

(xviii) OXFORD STADIUM –“NEW CELTIC TIGER” –Professional Trainer Paul Clarke
– 17 March 2012

(xviii) WIMBLEDON STADIUM – “RUTHLESS MAN” – Professional Trainer John Magee
Snr – 8 February 2012

(xx) WIMBLEDON STADIUM – “KATIES TANGO” – Professional Trainer John Magee
Snr – 8 February 2012

(xxi) HENLOW STADIUM – “GUNDOGLADY – Professional Trainer John Davies – 2
February 2012

(xxii) CRAYFORD STADIUM – “BUGLYS BILLIE”- Professional Trainer Robert
Boosey – 18 February 2012

(xxii) MILDENHALL STADIUM – “MILLROAD ROSE” – Professional Trainer Victor
Lee – 6 March 2012

(xxv) MILDENHALL STADIUM – “CRINKILL MAGIC” – Professional Trainer Victor
Lee – 13 March 2012

Between November 2011 and March 2012, 25 positive samples showing traces of
morphine had been recorded but extensive investigation had not revealed
whether these had resulted from administration of pharmaceutical morphine,
or a change in the manufacturing process for proprietary dog feed or from
more trainers resorting to the feeding of brown bread that had been
contaminated with poppy seeds. No Trainers were present as the they had been
advised that their non-attendance at the Hearing would not be prejudicial to
them in view of the evidence in front of the Committee. The Director of
Regulation had grouped the positives into 3 categories, namely those coming
from dogs from kennels which had used Formula 1 and Breeders Pack Working
Dog (Group 1), those coming from dogs from kennels which had used bread
which had originated from Waste Bread Services (Group 2) and lastly those
coming from dogs which had been fed from bread randomly sourced (Group 3).
In all 3 Groups, statements from proprietary feed suppliers, waste bread
suppliers and trainers were reviewed by the Committee who noted that the
common element was the likely presence of poppy seeds in the feed. A number
of feed samples had tested positive for morphine.

The Principal Scientist at LGC and Dr Andrew Higgins, the GBGB’s Independent
Doping & Medication Adviser confirmed, based on a recent research study
commissioned by GBGB and analyses conducted by HFL Sport Science, that the
positive samples for morphine in these cases were very likely to have been
caused by poppy seeds arising either from contaminated feed or from the
feeding of bread containing the seeds. Confirmation was given that the
supplier of Formula 1 had changed its sub-supplier, that the product had
been taken off the market for the time being. The Committee therefore
concluded that on the balance of probabilities and in the light of the
research study they were satisfied that the 25 morphine positives had been
caused by poppy seeds being present in the greyhounds’ feed. Accordingly
with regard to the Group 1 cases ((x), (xi), (xii), (xiii), (xiv), (xv)
(xxii) and (xxv) above) where the Trainer had no reason to believe that a
proprietary feed had been contaminated and considering rule 174 (i) (c) (i)
of the GBGB Rules of Racing no breach had been committed. In Groups 2 and 3
cases ((i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (xvi),
(xvii), (xviii), (xix), (xx), (xxi),(xxiii) and (xxiv) above) where the
Trainer had unknowingly fed brown bread containing poppy seeds there had in
each case been a breach of rules 174(i)(b) and 215 but that on this occasion
the Committee would take no further action.

HALL GREEN STADIUM – TWO EYES – Former Professional Trainer Mr M Peterson

The Committee considered the report of a local inquiry held by the area
stipendiary steward on the 4 May 2012 into the positive sample taken from
the greyhound TWO EYES at Hall Green Stadium on the 24 March 2012.

Former Professional Trainer, Mr M A Petersen, and his solicitor, Mr Julian
Lee, were in attendance with Jack Robinson, area stipendiary steward. Racing
manager, Mr R Coulthard, apologised for his non-attendance.

Paula Clare, GBGB sampling officer, attended Hall Green Stadium on 24 March
2012 and took a number of pre and post- race samples. A urine sample taken
from the greyhound TWO EYES was analysed by HFL Sport Science as containing
the presence of 19-norepiandrosterone and 19- noretiocholanolone. The
Committee noted that the “point of registration” sample, taken from TWO EYES
on the 14 March 2012 ie 4 days after the dog’s arrival in Mr Petersen’s
kennel had subsequently been analysed by HFL and had also identified the
presence of these metabolites. The Committee noted the “Statement of
Opinion” from Dr Higgins, the GBGB’s Independent Doping & Medication
Adviser, in which it was noted that 19-norepiandrosterone and
19-noretiocholanolone are metabolites of nandrolone (Laurabolin) an
injectable, long-acting anabolic steroid giving anabolic activity for
several weeks following a single injection.

Mr Julian Lee for Mr Petersen referred the Committee to an undated letter
from the former Irish owner of TWO EYES confirming that he had used
Laurabolin as an oestrus suppressant. Mr Lee said he has personally spoken
by telephone with Mr Hasson who had confirmed that the bitch had been
injected with Laurabolin shortly before it travelled to Mr Petersen’s
kennels on the 10 March 2012.

The Committee noted that while Mr Petersen (who denied administering the
steroid himself) had bought a number of dogs from Mr Hasson in the past
without any problems he had not on this occasion inquired whether the bitch
had received any oestrus suppressant believing her to be too young. While
the Committee expressed some surprise at this statement they nevertheless
concluded that the positive sample arose from circumstances beyond Mr
Petersen’s control. Accordingly while the GBGB Rules of Racing impose strict
liability on the trainer and there had been a breach of rules of rules 174
(i) (b) and 217 of the GBGB Rules of Racing, in the particular circumstances
of this case they decided that they would take no further action.

DONCASTER STADIUM - PRESTON BULLIT & VIKING KATIE – Professional Trainer Mr
J Hayton and Owner Mr C Harris

The Committee considered a report of a local enquiry held by the area
stipendiary steward on 26 March 2012 into the circumstances which lead to
the withdrawal of the greyhounds PRESTON BULLIT and VIKING KATIE at
Doncaster Stadium on 25 February 2012.

Joint racing managers, Mr M Smith and Mr R Watson, were in attendance with
area stipendiary steward, Mr Eric Vose. Both professional trainer, Mr J
Hayton, and registered owner, Mr C Harris, apologised for their absence.

The local inquiry had resulted from an incident on 25 February 2012 at
Doncaster Stadium when the owner Mr C Harris of the dogs in question, had by
his own admission instructed trainer Mr C Hayton by telephone to withdraw
the dogs from the racecard as he believed the track surface was unsafe that
evening, having earlier had his greyhound VIKING LEGEND suffer a broken hock
in a pre-racing trial. It was clear from the written statements of the
parties and from the evidence given by the area

stipendiary steward and the joint racing managers that the trainer felt
compelled to withdraw the dogs having been instructed to do so by a very
upset owner. It was equally clear that this was not a case of authorised
withdrawals within rule 69A of the GBGB Rules of Racing. The track
veterinary surgeon, Mrs H Smyly, who, according to stipendiary steward Eric
Vose is highly experienced, had provided written evidence confirming that
she had walked the track and passed it as suitable for racing that night.

The local inquiry had been unable to make progress as a result of
fundamental disagreements between the owner and the track promoter and this
had prevented the area stipendiary steward using his authority to determine
the matter at the time. Accordingly the case had in the view of the
Committee unnecessarily been referred to them.

The Committee found Registered Owner Mr C Harris in breach of rule 69A &
152(i) of the GBGB Rules of Racing and ordered that he be cautioned and
fined £300. Professional Trainer, Mr J Hayton, was also found in breach of
rule 69A & 152(i) and cautioned but without any financial penalty in view of
the untenable situation in which he had apparently been placed by the Owner.