Iowan charged with illegally selling Minnesota greyhounds

An Iowa man is charged with selling over one thousand greyhound dogs to a Minnesota company for medical research. Forty-nine-year-old Daniel Shonka of Cedar Rapids allegedly received at least 374-thousand dollars from Arden Hills-based Guidant Corporation for the dogs. All but 108 of the greyhounds died in the research. Shonka operated a greyhound racing track and adoption center at his home and did have a license to sell research animals. He’s charged with theft and fraud because he obtained the greyhounds from the old Saint Croix track with the understanding he must adopt them out. Shonka’s dog hauler, Heidi Dierks of Hudson, Wisconsin, is also charged in the crime.