Dog Does Drugs: Cocaine in canine, N.M. woman wants pet back

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A New Mexico woman is fighting to get her dog back after authorities said the 1-year-old Labrador retriever tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.

Albuquerque officials said police found no evidence to file charges against Arlene Saiz, who said she doesn't know how the animal consumed the drugs.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Saiz’s dog Maddie showed "strong positive cocaine" and active marijuana traces in urine tests conducted this week by an Albuquerque clinic.

A clinic report says the Lab was taken there by Saiz, and veterinarians saw the dog twitching, shaking and walking with poor balance.

The clinic says that since Saiz was unable to pay the $2,000 bill to treat her pet, she signed the dog over to the city’s Animal Welfare Department.

Now, Saiz says she regrets surrendering the dog after the drug discovery.