[jump to content (Accesskey 2)] [jump to main navigation (Accesskey 3)] [jump to current position(Accesskey 5)]

Navigations and settings

your current position at this website

Position:  home. Law. Animal doping. jump to home

about this site

service area

main contents

Animal doping

In any sport that includes animals (e.g. horses or dogs) in competition, there have always been attempts to enhance performance by the use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods. The doping of horses was mentioned for the first time in 1866. It is told that even as early as ancient Roman times, a mixture of water and honey was used to improve the performance of chariot horses and make them run faster. Yet no doping to increase performance was reported until the middle of the 19th century. Only paradoping, which actually reduces performance, was known. For instance, competitors' horses were poisoned to improve one's own chances of winning, or people poisoned their own horses and bet on a competitor's horse. The doping of horses was detected for the first time in Austria in 1910.

Statutory provisions

§ 20 of the Anti-Doping Federal Act as amended by Federal Law Gazette I no. 146/2009 stipulates the following:

§ 20. (1) In any sport that includes animals in competition, the following provisions shall apply:

  1. for the animal, the prohibited substances and methods determined by the competent international sports federation shall be relevant;
  2. the whereabouts filing requirement pursuant to § 19 para 1 no. 5 shall also include the place where the animal is accommodated, the practice schedule and locations of the animal and shall be incumbent on the athlete who practices the sport with the animal, the owner of the animal or the person responsible for the animal;
  3. those persons specified under no. 2 who are present when doping control starts shall be involved in animal testing;
  4. the prohibition to possess [prohibited substances and methods] (§ 1 para 2 no. 5) and the tampering with doping control in the case of animals (§ 1 para 2 no. 6) as well as the provision pursuant to § 1 para 2 no. 7 shall apply to all persons specified under no. 2;
  5. the persons specified under no. 2 shall ensure that no prohibited substances enter the animal's body and no prohibited methods are used on the animal.

(2) § 6 para 1 nos. 2 and 3 shall apply to animals with the proviso that the person requesting the B sample analysis or the laboratory documentation package shall cover the costs.

(3) Any of the persons specified in para 1 no. 2 may exercise the rights pursuant to § 14 para 2 no. 3.

(4) The disciplinary measures pursuant to § 15 shall also apply to the animal. Any of the persons specified in para 1 no. 2 may file an application for an expedited procedure (§ 15 para 3). If a laboratory report concerning an animal exists, the Independent Anti-Doping Organization shall first obtain a written opinion on it from the Veterinary Commission regarding any prohibited substances or methods. If the Veterinary Commission does not have such a suspicion, no disciplinary proceedings need to be instituted. The Independent Anti-Doping Organization shall notify the persons specified in para 1 no. 2 and the competent national sports federation thereof.

(5) In the case of suspected doping of an animal, § 4 para 2 no. 5 and § 16 para 1 no. 3 shall apply with the proviso that an expert in veterinary medicine shall be nominated instead of an expert in sports medicine.