Pennsylvania Code
Title 7 - AGRICULTURE
Part VIII - State Horse Racing Commission
Subpart F - Foreign Substances, Medications, Drugs and Equine Veterinary Practices
Chapter 407 - PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF HORSES-TEMPORARY REGULATIONS
Section 407.3 - Postmortem examination and necropsy

(a) A horse that dies or is euthanized, whether in training or in competition, while present on the licensed racetrack facility under the jurisdiction of the Commission, shall undergo a postmortem examination (necropsy) at a laboratory approved by the Commission to determine, where possible, the injury or sickness which resulted in euthanasia or natural death. Within 24 hours of the horse's death or euthanization, the Commission Veterinarian shall notify the Director of the respective bureau in writing.

(b) A horse that dies or is euthanized while present on the licensed racetrack facility, but not during training or competition, may undergo a necropsy at the discretion of the Commission Veterinarian based upon available information at the time.

(c) The Commission Veterinarian, in coordination with the racetrack veterinarian, the racing secretary and the owner or trainer of the horse, shall take physical possession of the horse upon its death for postmortem examination. All shoes and equipment on the horse's legs shall be left on the horse.

(d) The Commission Veterinarian or the racetrack veterinarian shall collect blood, urine, bodily fluids, or other biologic specimens immediately, if possible before euthanization. The Commission may submit the blood, urine, bodily fluids, or other biologic specimens collected from the horse to its testing laboratory for toxicological analysis. The presence of a prohibited substance in a specimen collected from the horse may constitute a violation. The collection of the biologic samples post-euthanization shall not invalidate the findings by the testing laboratory of a prohibited substance.

(e) To maintain control of the evidentiary chain of custody, the necropsy report of the deceased horse or other documentary findings and results shall remain in the Commission's sole control and possession. All licensees shall be required to comply with postmortem examination requirements as a condition of licensure.

(f) The Commission may direct that an investigation be conducted based upon the results of the necropsy or the testing laboratory findings. These investigatory documents and findings are not deemed public records for purposes of the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L. 6, No. 3), known as the Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § § 67.101-67.3104).