(a) Whoever having a horse entered in a horse race or having in his custody or control such a horse permits the administration of any drug, or the application of an electric battery or similar device to such horse, for the purpose of weakening or stimulating the animal, or administers or causes to be administered any drug, or applies or causes to be applied an electric battery or similar device to a horse entered in a race for the purpose of weakening or stimulating the ability of the animal shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
(b) In addition to the penalties provided for in subsection (a), the St. Croix Horse Racing Commission or the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission, as appropriate, may revoke any license granted under this section to any person violating the subsection (a) after due notice and hearing as provided in subsection (a)(6) of section 202 and prohibit the person from entering or attempting to enter any racetrack, or facilities thereof, including stables, stalls, or stands. Any person who enters any such prohibited area in violation of any order of the respective Commission is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) Any person affected by the orders, decisions, license suspensions, or fines imposed by the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission or the St. Croix Horse Racing Commission or the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission, as the case may be, may appeal to the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, but an appeal may not stay the effects of the orders, decisions, suspensions, and fines while the court passes upon the appeal, except by specific order of the court. In cases of fines, the person fined may neither register nor enter a horse in a race unless the person deposits with the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission the amount of the fine, which must be reimbursed if the determination of the Court is favorable to the person fined. All appeals must be filed with the court no later than 10 days days after notice of the Commission’s decision has been served on the aggrieved person.
(d) The members of the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Commission or the St. Croix Horse Racing Commission or the St. Thomas-St. John Horse Racing Commission, while acting within the scope of their duties as members of such Commission, are not subject to any civil liability as a result of any of the Commissions’ actions taken pursuant to its duties and responsibilities, unless the conduct of the member or members is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to constitute willful wrongdoing or gross negligence.