Meadows sued over horse’s death
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An Avella man is suing The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Washington Trotting Association and CCR Pennsylvania Racing Inc. in the death of his race horse. Michael Puff, of 230 Chestnut Road, alleges his 7-year-old mare, Little Bit Tricky, was euthanized Feb. 4, 2013, after slipping on an icy track at The Meadows and breaking a leg.
The horse was valued in excess of $100,000, and Puff is seeking all costs and damages he incurred.
Puff claims the racetrack was negligent in ensuring safe racing conditions and that it breached an implied contract by failing to make sure conditions were safe for racing, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington County Court.
Puff alleges racing conditions on the harness track deteriorated after the temperate dropped and two to four inches of snow fell. His horse was slated for the 15th race on a 16-race card, and during the 14th race, another horse collapsed and died because of pulmonary distress, court documents said. This created a 35-minute delay of the 15th race, during which the track became frozen and snow covered.
Puff alleges the track was not properly cleared, “because they were running out of daylight and did not want to cancel the remaining races.”
After Little Bit Tricky fell, Puff said the following race was canceled.
“The defendants had a duty to take all steps necessary to ensure that the track conditions were not unreasonably dangerous or, in the event that such conditions existed, to postpone the race,” court documents said. “The defendants also assume all responsibility to postpone the races if they are unable to maintain the harness racing track.”
Harness racing officials have denied the snowy conditions were factors in the deaths, according to previous stories in the Observer-Reporter. They said it was commonplace for about three horse to die each year at the track from either natural causes or injuries.
Tom Meinert, spokesman for The Meadows, said he was not permitted to comment on pending litigation.
Puff’s attorney, Kenneth Burkley, did not return calls for comment.