A New Mexico woman whose dog tested positive for cocaine and marijuana is fighting to get the canine back after surrendering the Labrador retriever because of a $2,000 vet bill. The Albuquerque Journal reports that 1-year-old Maddie showed "strong positive cocaine" and active marijuana traces in urine tests conducted this week by an Albuquerque clinic. A clinic report says veterinarians saw the dog twitching, shaking, and walking with poor balance after owner Arlene Saiz brought her in.
The report says that because Saiz couldn't pay the vet bill, she signed the dog over to the city Animal Welfare Department. Saiz now says she regrets the decision. Police found no evidence to file charges against Saiz, who says she doesn't know how the animal consumed the drugs. (More New Mexico stories.)