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