Revised regulations adopted by the West Virginia Racing Commission (WVRC) would allow the agency to take action against permit holders found to have knowingly sold a horse for slaughter. It is believed to be a first in the United States for the licensing of Thoroughbred permit holders. The regulations also allow for action in cases of horse abuse.

The regulations are part of a package approved April 13 by the WVRC. There will be a 30-day public comment period before the regulations are sent to the state legislature for consideration; if approved they will take effect in 2013.

The racing commission would be allowed to deny, suspend, or revoke a permit if an individual "has knowingly, or without conducting due diligence, sold a horse to slaughter, either directly or indirectly," the regulations state.

The same would apply to a permit holder that "has abandoned, mistreated, abused, neglected, or engaged in an act of cruelty to a horse