Date Posted: 3/29/2010 2:35:02 PM Last Updated: 3/29/2010 3:10:22 PM

Penn National Gaming Inc. has adopted a policy that punishes horsemen that sell horses for slaughter.

The company, which currently owns five horse racing tracks and has an agreement to purchase a sixth, released the company-wide policy March 29. It is similar to those in place at other racetracks.

The policy states: “Any horsemen stabled at a Penn National Gaming Inc.-owned or -operated horse racing facility who knowingly, or without conducting proper due diligence, sells a horse for slaughter, directly or indirectly, will have his or her stalls revoked and may, in addition, be barred from all of our racing properties.”

PNGI said horsemen are required to conduct “proper due diligence on those buying horses.” The company said it encourages horsemen participating at PNGI facilities and industry-wide to support rescue and adoption efforts and to seek humane means of dealing with horses unable to continue racing.

The policy took effect immediately at Black Gold Casino at Zia Park in New Mexico; Charles Town Races & Slots in West Virginia; Hollywood Casino, Hotel and Raceway, a harness track in Bangor, Maine; Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Pennsylvania; and Raceway Park, an Ohio harness track.

“We need horsemen to become educated and use best efforts and practices in how they manage their equine charges and to act in a responsible way when those athletes no longer are able to race,” PNGI vice president of racing Chris McErlean said. “We plan to assist our respective horsemen’s organizations in promoting and advertising available options.”

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