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IA DCI and IRGC investigate drugged dogs at Bluffs Run

News, Sports

October 13th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) and Iowa DCI (Division of Criminal Investigation) are continuing to investigate positive performance-enhancing drug tests at Bluffs Run Greyhound Park in Council Bluffs. According to the Daily NonPareil, in late September, two dogs tested positive for ractopamine, a drug believed to increase muscle mass, open airways for oxygenation and decrease fat. Officials have not determined how the dogs ingested the drug.

Brian Ohorilko, administrator with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, said the two greyhounds that tested positive for ractopamine, following a race.The positive test at Bluffs Run followed failed tests by 12 greyhounds at Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque. The Iowa State University diagnostic lab found the drug in dry food given to the dogs in eastern Iowa.

Officials in the greyhound community said that would be the case in Council Bluffs as well, but tests on dry food used at Bluffs Run came back negative. After the positive tests, both Council Bluffs dogs were taken out of competition while veterinarians determined the adverse affects of the drugs. Ohorilko said the drug – normally administered to livestock, including hogs and cattle – is known to cause heart tissue damage to greyhounds.

The administrator said both dogs were found to be healthy and have returned to racing.