BIC denies stray dog reports

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) officials yesterday denied reports that two stray dogs had run across the track during a Formula One testing session.

Media reports said the animals had found their way to the Sakhir Circuit on Tuesday, forcing the event to be halted.

Three Ferrari, BMW-Sauber and Toyota teams are taking part in the testing sessions, which ends today, ahead of the start of the new season on March 29.

BIC circuit operations director Mark Hughes said Tuesday's session was stopped as a precaution, but insisted the dogs were chased off in the car park and never made it near the track.

"The dogs were seen by marshals before they crossed the track so as a precaution we stopped the session," he told the GDN.

"They were inside the venue, but not in the circuit area."

Mr. Hughes added the race was stopped for less than 10 minutes and none of the drivers had been in any danger.

However, the dogs were never caught as they ran off into a restricted area towards Bahrain University.