New front opens in war on drugs

[Keaney Michael <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Racetrack ban after Viagra gets greyhounds going

Paul Kelso
Thursday June 21, 2001
The Guardian

The mechanical hares of Ireland will rest easier this morning following news
that Irish greyhound authorities have banned trainers
from administering Viagra to their dogs.

The Bord na gCon (Irish Greyhound Board) added the anti-impotence pill to
its list of prohibited substances following rumours that
some trainers were exploiting the drug's performance-enhancing qualities.
One trainer was reported yesterday as saying: "Viagra's
the best thing since sliced bread."

Widely reputed to have taught many old humans new tricks, Viagra is thought
to raise a dog's blood pressure and increase its
heart rate, leading to quicker times in the early stages of a race.

John Garrahy, regulations manager at Bord na gCon, which oversees the sport
in the Irish Republic, confirmed the drug had been
banned. "I don't think this drug is a problem in the industry. We've had no
positive tests and our drug-testing regime is pretty
comprehensive." He added that it was thought Viagra might give racing dogs
"an extra yard".

He sought to play down reports that Viagra abuse was increasing among the
dog fraternity, saying that all substances that did not
form part of a dog's regular diet were banned. "Greyhound racing is
drug-free and it is a drug and can't be attributed to a normal
diet," he said.

Brian Jones, a Dundalk and Newry-based vet specialising in greyhounds, said
there were rumours of the use of Viagra in racing
dogs, but he was "dubious" about the effects the drug might have. "It is
possible it might work because it stimulates the heart,
dilates the vessels and increases the blood pressure. The effect would be to
make the dog that tiny bit more alert," he said.

"There are rumours of it being used in racing, as people will try anything.
Trainers can go to their GP, get a prescription and give it
to their dogs rather than themselves. But if it has been used before, it
certainly won't be used now."

Full article at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,510200,00.html

Michael Keaney
Mercuria Business School
Martinlaaksontie 36
01620 Vantaa
Finland

michael.keaney@xxxxxx