LEXINGTON, Ky. - Association of
Racing Commissioners International (RCI) officials today praised the
announcement by Peter Smith, attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the
Middle District of Pennsylvania, concerning the criminal indictment of four
racetrack veterinarians with administering drugs to Thoroughbred racehorses
within 24 hours of when the horse was entered to race.
“Today’s indictments are indicative
of how racing commissions are teaming up with law enforcement and other
government agencies to enforce laws designed to protect horses and the
integrity of racing,”
said RCI President Ed Martin.
Racing commissions are quietly
working to involve other regulatory and law enforcement entities to pool
resources and take advantage of the collective jurisdictional reach of various
entities to ensure that all regulations and laws are followed and enforced.
Martin said that similar efforts are
underway in other jurisdictions and he praised the cooperative work of
Pennsylvania racing regulators, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau
of Investigations, and the Pennsylvania State Police for their work in building
the case for the indictments announced today.
RCI will meet in Tampa, Florida on
April 21-23, 2015, and of special interest to be discussed are State Veterinary
Board requirements that prescription medications be dispensed only upon a valid
diagnosis for a specific patient. The American Association of State Veterinary
Boards will be participating in the RCI discussions.
Today’s indictments claim that the
defendants allegedly submitted false veterinarian treatment reports to the
Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The indictments also claim that
drugs were not administered pursuant to a valid prescription and constituted
misbranding of the prescription animal drugs in violation of federal law.
In 2012, five state racing
commissions formally requested the assistance of the United States Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in multi-jurisdictional racing commission
investigations. Martin said the FDA has been an invaluable resource and partner
since then, as have other agencies that are now working with various state
racing commissions.
