Virginia Law

The scope of responsibility for the commission veterinarian encompasses not only the welfare of horses and the subsequent safety of jockeys, but the interests of the public within the broad context of upholding the integrity of racing. The commission veterinarian shall exercise jurisdiction over all veterinarians licensed by the commission to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with the regulations pertaining to pari-mutuel racing in Virginia and shall perform those duties assigned to him by the commission, the executive secretary of the commission, and the stewards. His duties shall include but not be limited to:

1. Ensuring that all horses within the enclosure are treated in a humane manner and reporting any case of animal abuse or neglect to the stewards;

2. Reviewing the daily written reports submitted by practicing veterinarians;

3. Ensuring that prerace examinations are performed on every horse entered to race on that day's program and recommending to the stewards that horses found to be unfit for racing be excused;

4. Recommending that sick and injured horses be placed on the veterinarian's list;

5. Advising the stewards on the condition of horses that are coming off the veterinarian's list;

6. Ensuring the collection of samples and the proper operation of the test barn;

7. Approving the lists of medications and preparations submitted by pharmaceutical representatives prior to their sale within the enclosure;

8. Being present at scratch time of each racing day to inspect any horses requested by the stewards and report on their fitness for racing;

9. Giving the stewards his opinion of a horse's condition and recommendation relative to the horse's fitness for racing;

10. Scheduling the licensee veterinarian and assistant commission veterinarians so that a veterinarian is present in the paddock during saddling, on the track during the post parade, at the starting gate until the horses are dispatched from the gate, and at the wire to observe horses after they finish a race;

11. Managing racing injuries on the track, being authorized to humanely destroy any horse deemed so seriously injured that it is in the best interests of the horse so to act, and reporting to the stewards the names of all horses euthanized at the race meeting and the reasons;

12. Facilitating postmortem examinations performed on horses that have died on the grounds of the licensee's racetrack and maintaining necessary records; and

13. Coordinating practicing veterinarians and regulatory agencies to effect measures to control communicable and reportable equine diseases.