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Johnson BHA decision delayed

Image: Howard Johnson: Has been informed of BHA decision

Howard Johnson has been informed of the BHA's decision over an inquiry into welfare issues but the result may not be published until August 10.

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Trainer learns of wlefare issues verdict

Howard Johnson has been informed of the BHA's decision over an inquiry into welfare issues but the result may not be published until August 10. The County Durham trainer faced nine charges and the decision, and results of the panel's findings, will not be made public until August 10 at the latest. There were further submissions from Johnson's team and written reasons, plus any penalty, will be published by that date. Johnson has been fighting to save his career as a trainer at the inquiry which had reconvened today after the panel was unable to hear all the evidence at a two-day hearing last month. He did admit to running a horse (Striking Article) that had undergone a palmar neurectomy under his care, but he claimed he was unaware of the rule that states he should not have done so. The neurectomy to the horse's left-fore leg came to light following a post-mortem carried out on Striking Article after the horse was pulled up and euthanised at Musselburgh on February 7, 2010. The procedure involves severing nervous connection to the lower leg to cause numbness. It is banned under the Rules of Racing on welfare grounds. Striking Article underwent the procedure in April 2008 yet ran eight times afterwards. Johnson was also charged under a separate investigation in relation to the administration of laurabolin, an anabolic steroid containing nandrolone, to three other horses under his care.

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