UK greyhound racing hit with drug scandal over illegal use of human ‘birth control pills’ Exclusive: Tests showing dogs swallowed contaminated substances triggered action against trainers.
A major drug scandal in UK greyhound racing, involving the illegal sale and widespread misuse of a hormone intended for women is going unchecked, according to an animal charity.
The GBGB maintains that welfare is a top priority in licensed greyhound racing, with “everyone within the sport committed to optimising the care greyhounds receive”.
While this practice can be legal if prescribed by a vet, importing norethisterone – usually from Southeast Asia – has become a cheaper and easier option due to a shortage of legitimate supplies, according to the charity.
The hormone is given to female greyhounds to suppress their biological “season”, when rules bar them from being raced for at least three weeks and often up to 10 weeks.
