New protocols created by the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission designed to create more accountability in cases of racehorse abuse and neglect will take affect Nov. 18.
Puerto Rico has animal abuse laws in place, but an order issued by the commission Oct. 18 specifically addresses the treatment of racehorses and gives the commission clear authority to suspend the license of anyone found violating the order and/or impose additional fines.
The action taken by the commission comes approximately two months after the Center for Investigative Journalism in Puerto Rico reported that between January and May of this year, Camarero Race Track registered the euthanasia of 108 horses, of which more than 55% were due to leg fractures. Last year, the track registered 94 euthanasias, with the same percentage due to leg fractures. Along with these losses has been criticism that racehorses are not being given adequate time to recuperate and that trainers lean heavily on medications to keep them running.
"The Commission's dedication to the humane treatment of animals and respect for their rights, especially concerning racehorses that train and compete at Puerto Rican racetracks, is reaffirmed," read the order from the Gaming Commission. "Any individual possessing a license granted by the Commission to function within the horse racing industry is strictly prohibited from exhibiting behavior deemed as abusive towards racehorses that train and compete in Puerto Rico. This extends to any person who in any capacity interacts with these horses."
The new protocol includes regular assessment of horses stabled at Camarero by the Body Condition Scoring System recognized by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. A horse with a score of 1 is considered extremely emaciated, a score of 2 is emaciated, and a score of 3 represents a poor condition. The racetrack's stable supervisor has the responsibility, per the commission's order, to monitor for any horse with a body score of 1-3 or that has inadequate bedding, does not have continuous access to hay and clean water, has hooves in poor condition, or has not been receiving adequate veterinary care.
Any case of neglect will be reported to Puerto Rico's director of the Horse Racing Bureau, Juan Carlos Santaella. The director will contact the horse's owner, who will be required to provide a medical history of the horse and an assessment by the owner's veterinarian within 15 days. The owner's veterinarian also is to provide a plan for improving the horse's condition. The director may request a second follow-up evaluation to be sure the horse's condition has been addressed and improved.
If a horse's poor condition is not rectified, then the Gaming Commission will file a formal complaint. Following a hearing, the commission may suspend the license of anyone identified as having failed to adhere to any provisions of the order and/or impose additional fines.
Kelley Stobie, a co-founder of Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, said the new order is an improvement because existing animal abuse laws are too broad.
"Nobody has ever been held accountable because the regulations are so vague. This is progress," she said.
In 2022, the Gaming Commission adopted new regulations to curtail the mistreatment of horses being shipped to Puerto Rico from other territories. These regulations set minimum standards for the dimensions of a shipping stall to allow safe and adequate room for movement, required access to food and water, and required adequate protection from severe weather conditions.
"Our obligation to oversee the health, safety, and welfare of racehorses is not merely confined to the conditions under which these horses are conveyed to Puerto Rico. The commission's responsibility spans to the oversight of the health standards of racehorses stationed at racetracks within our authority," the Oct. 18 order stated.
The Gaming Commission adopted the order two weeks before the Association of Racing Commissioners International held its inaugural Caribbean Racing and Regulatory Conference in San Juan. The Nov. 2-3 conference was hosted by Camarero and the Gaming Commission.
ARCI Conference Focuses on Issues in the Caribbean
"The idea for the conference originated with members of the horse racing industry in the Caribbean region, who sought a need for a unified regional approach to industry issues," said Ed Martin, ARCI president who recognized the efforts of Jay Watson, the past chair of the Virgin Island Racing Commission, and Eduardo Maldonado, a prominent Thoroughbred breeder and owner based in Puerto Rico.
The Conference also addressed regional issues affecting the import and export of horses, regulatory uniformity, and economic development needs to ensure a successful racing industry going forward.
