Cover Stories Fall/Winter 2004

Outbreak Claims Three Lives

Tucson, Arizona: State racing department director Geoffrey Gonsher issued a directive Nov. 19 prohibiting the importation of greyhounds into the state and quarantining all greyhounds at Tucson Greyhound Park after an outbreak of kennel cough. State veterinarian Andrew Carlton, in response to GNN's request for information, said three greyhounds had died soon after the initial outbreak in mid-November.

The importation quarantine was lifted Dec. 13, with the following provisions: Incoming dogs had to have a health certificate issued within 24 hours of departure and an affidavit from the attending veterinarian stating that the point of origin was free of communicable disease.
In a follow-up report to the director, Carlton wrote, "The clinical symptoms and the timing support primary viral disease with secondary bacterial involvement leading to toxemia. The disease has since run its course" and there have been no additional deaths.