A €1,500 fine has been handed down to the Derry owner of a dog taking part in a race at Lifford Greyhound Stadium after it tested positive for Viagra.
Concern was aroused when Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) received the results of the sample taken from the canine following a heat there on January 5 this year.
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.
Well known for giving many human males a lift, Viagra is also thought to raise a dog’s blood pressure and increase its heart rate, leading to quicker times in the early stages of a race.
Sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) was detected in the two-year-old at Lifford Stadium.
The matter was referred to GRI’s Racing Control Committee which held a disciplinary hearing in recent weeks.
According to its report, seen our sister site Donegal Daily, the Derry-based owner of the dog was initially hit with a €2,000 fine.
However, this was reduced to €1,500 as it was his first offence.
The man did not attend the hearing and the committee noted there was no engagement by him by way of giving evidence in relation to the matter.
Having considered all the evidence, they were satisfied that the case presented by GRI was proven.
The committee said the fine ‘sent a strong admonishment’ to the owner.
They also directed that any greyhound owned/managed/trained and/or presented by him over the next 12-month period must be sampled on presentation to any stadium under the control of GRI.
The committee also directed that the prize money won by the greyhound in the event in question is forfeited.
Despite reports that the dog romped to victory, Donegal Daily has confirmed the greyhound didn’t cross the line first.
The going was said to be good to firm on the evening in question.
GRI confirmed that thousands of tests have been carried out at Lifford Stadium since it reopened in early 2023, in accordance with its licence.
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