NEGLECTED DOGS NOT RACING GREYHOUNDS, NGA CONFIRMS

National Greyhound Association (NGA) Executive Director Gary Guccione has confirmed that none of the 24 emaciated dogs confiscated by the Grant County (OK) Sheriff’s Dept. on Tuesday, July 21, is associated with greyhound racing.

Guccione said Friday that the dogs, described by the media as “greyhounds or mixed greyhound breeds,” are not registered with the NGA, which is the only official registry for greyhound racing in North America. According to Guccione, the Tulsa Humane Society has confirmed that none of the confiscated dogs carry ear tattoos—a requirement for NGA-registered greyhounds.

The owner of the dogs, whose name has not yet been released pending further investigation, voluntarily relinquished them to Grant County authorities.

“Having visited with Oklahoma authorities involved in the case, we’re virtually certain that the person or persons responsible are not associated with greyhound racing or the NGA in any way,” Guccione said.

The Tulsa Humane Society is nursing the dogs back to health. “They were very emaciated, and a couple of them are anemic. But they are coming around,” a representative of the agency told Guccione. She added that one of the dogs tested heartworm positive, but other than that there were “no major medical issues.”