DUBLIN, Ireland -- Viagra has been banned from greyhound
racing in Ireland after reports that it can make dogs run faster by
speeding up their heart rate.
The Irish greyhound racing board announced the ban Wednesday,
even though no dog has tested positive for the male sex drug.
The Irish Independent newspaper quoted a racing source as saying
that, in greyhound racing, Viagra was "the greatest thing since
sliced bread."
Viagra reportedly increases the blood pressure and heart-rate of
a dog in the early stages of a race.
John Garrahy, regulations manager for the Irish racing board,
said any substances that were not part of a greyhound's normal diet
were banned.
"We do not know of any performance-enhancing qualities (that
Viagra provides) on the track, but theoretically it may do,"
Garrahy said. "The fact is that greyhound racing is drug-free and
it is a drug and can't be attributed to a normal diet."
Brian Jones, an Irish vet specializing in greyhounds, said he
was "dubious" of the effects of Viagra on greyhounds.
"It is possible that it might work because it stimulates the
heart, dilates the vessels and increases the blood pressure,"
Jones said. "The effect would be to make the dog that tiny bit
more alert.
"The greyhound is normally a healthy dog and Viagra would be
fairly harmless on them. There are rumors of it being used in
racing as people will try anything."
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