KOLD News 13 live, local and late breaking-State Cracks Down On Colorado Dog Handler

State Cracks Down On Colorado Dog Handler

Suleika Acosta KOLD News 13

Continuing coverage tonight on a story we first brought you a couple of months ago, state authorities are coming down hard on a Colorado dog handler in connection with 140 missing greyhounds. The dogs were supposed to go to new homes after racing at Tucson Greyhound Park.    

"We really hope it's the beginning of really a hard stance on neglect, abuse in the greyhound racing industry," says Mary Freeman, president of the Arizona Greyhound Rescue. She is referring to the state's recent findings. According to records released by state racing officials, Richard Favreau received 140 dogs from Tucson Greyhound Park. Favreau did not show records of where he placed the dogs. Authorities only located six of the missing greyhounds. To this day, the dogs are still unaccounted for.

According to the documents, "It is the director's belief that the missing greyhounds are a casualty of the respondent's [Favreau] total disregard for the safety, welfare, and lives of the animals."

"...The worst fear is that the animals were heartlessly put to death by the respondent and are now in an undisclosed graveyard in the desert."

"The director further questions the role and responsibility of Tucson Greyhound Park in entering an agreement and paying a hauler, but not maintaining complete and accurate records as to the status, whereabouts, or dispositions of the animals."  

"We realize that we can never bring back the probable diseased greyhounds but I can be comforted by the fact that Richard Favreau's career in the greyhound industry is effectively over and others like him were probably served notice that it won't be tolerated anymore," adds Mary.

Richard Favreau was penalized by the state. His license was revoked. He is ordered to pay $140,000 to a greyhound adoption program and he must serve 700 hours of community service to an animal organization.

We called Tucson Greyhound Park numerous times but we haven't heard back. Again, the state is still investigating. We'll keep you updated.