A Colorado dog handler is under investigation in the disappearance of 185 retired greyhound racing dogs.
According to the Arizona Department of Racing, Richard Favreau, a licensed dog handler from Calhan, contracted with Tucson Greyhound Park last November to put 192 retired greyhounds up for adoption in Colorado. The park manager, Chris McConnell, paid Favreau $150 for each dog, a total of $28,800.
But only 7 of the dogs have been accounted for. They were put into homes through Colorado Greyhound Adoption, said volunteer president Rick Bender.
“We found homes for almost 30, but when we went to Favreau for the rest of the dogs, he said they were gone,” Bender said. “These dogs are very trackable. They have tattoos in both ears and a documented history. If they’re around, you can find them.”
Favreau could not be reached for comment.
Favreau told investigators some of the dogs were adopted, some were returned to their owners and some were his, according to Gary Guccione, executive director of the National Greyhound Association.
The Board of Stewards for the Arizona Department of Racing questioned Favreau on Oct. 4 and concluded he was “unable to provide verifiable information about the whereabouts of approximately 192 greyhounds.” The stewards suspended his license, fined him and recommended he be banned from the greyhound business.
Jeffrey Gonsher, director of the Arizona Racing Commission, to whom the stewards report, said his investigators are still trying to find the dogs. Gonsher will hold a hearing in late November on the recommendation to ban Favreau.
“The department of racing is very concerned about these dogs,” he said. “This should not happen.”
Dan Hartman, director of the Colorado Division of Racing Events, said his investigators assisted Arizona, and visited Favreau’s kennel in Calhan, which didn’t have any dogs at the time.
“I don’t know where his dogs are,” Hartman said. “Favreau is licensed in Colorado, but we will follow Arizona’s lead if his license is revoked.”
A $10,000 reward has been posted for the missing dogs. Anyone with information is asked to call the Greyhound Protection League at 800-446-8637.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com.
