A group of veterinarians in Oklahoma are hoping a controversial advertisement will convince state legislators to kill a bill that would allow horse owners and their employees to buy and administer veterinary prescription sedatives used in teeth floating procedures.

HB 3202 also amends the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act to allow individuals who are not licensed veterinarians to float horses’ teeth if they meet state certification requirements.

The advertisement that appeared in Monday’s edition of The Oklahoman newspaper links the measure to illegal use of the drugs clenbuterol, a steroid allegedly misused for weight loss, and ketamine, a tranquilizer sometimes used as a "date-rape drug." Four veterinarians who oppose the bill sponsored the ad, which claims the legislation would facilitate illegal drug sales.

"There are unscrupulous people in every profession," said J. Mike Johnston, DVM, one of the advertisement’s sponsors