|
Cover Stories Spring 2004 Greyhounds Test Positive for Cocaine at Florida Racetracks The Tampa Tribune reported May 3 that 119 racing dogs tested positive for traces of cocaine over a three-year period at the state's racetracks, an average of 40 per year. The reporting period covered June 1, 2000 through May 30, 2003. Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering officials said the positive tests, which represented one-tenth of 1 percent of the 104,000 urine samples tested, are most likely the result of incidental contact, rather than an attempt to fix races. Division director Dave Roberts said the agency does a thorough investigation every time a dog tests positive for cocaine, noting that three trainers had their licenses revoked in the past two years after their dogs came back with multiple positive results. Roberts said the number of positive tests have dropped in the last ten months. The Humane Society of the United States and GREY2K USA filed a formal complaint May 19 with Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist, calling for an independent investigation to see if dogs are being intentionally drugged to enhance performance. In a May 23 editorial, the Fort Myers News-Press urged Crist to investigate the use of cocaine at Florida racetracks, adding, "but while he's at it, he ought to take a good, hard look at some other illegal track practices, too." The News-Press listed several cases in point, notably the division's failure to complete an investigation of the Naples-Fort Myers track begun one year ago after two seriously injured dogs had to be euthanized and no track veterinarian was present, as required by state law. In early June, Deputy Attorney General George LeMieux responded to the animal protection groups' request, stating that there is no legal authority for the attorney general to conduct an investigation. [There are currently 15 tracks conducting live racing in Florida; three tracks have been demolished and one remains open for simulcasting only.- Ed.]
|