Woodford County animal control and the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners are seeking answers about the death of the WinStar Farm stallion Laoban.

Animal control supervisor Susan Jones said Monday an investigation had begun into the circumstances surrounding the horse’s sudden death on May 24, 2021. Lisa Tolliver, a spokesperson for the veterinary board, said a certified letter was sent Monday to veterinarian Dr. Heather Wharton that asks for a response to grievances filed by two animal welfare groups.

Upon receipt of the letter, Wharton will have 30 days to respond. If her response arrives at least five business days ahead of the board’s May 26 meeting, a complaints screening committee will determine whether an investigation is warranted. If her response arrives later, those discussions will likely be delayed until the board’s July 28 meeting.

Wharton injected Laoban with a mixture of vitamins and minerals she called the “Black Shot” in an effort to stimulate his interest in mares after the 8-year-old stallion failed to complete any of five breeding sessions over a two-day span last spring.

'Black Shot' and gone:Kentucky stallion's death after libido injection raises questions

Three of the four ingredients in the injection used were past their expiration date — one of them by nearly nine years — and substances intended to be injected intramuscularly were instead administered intravenously. One of the ingredients, iron hydrogenated dextran, was indicated for anemic baby pigs, but not horses.

Wharton attributed Laoban’s death to anaphylactic shock. The North America Specialty Insurance Company has denied mortality claims on the stallion, citing Wharton’s failure to read the labels on the four ingredients and “at least” 10 instances in which she departed from their instructions.

Cypress Creek Equine and Southern Equine Stables filed suit against the insurance company last month, seeking payment of its claims on Laoban. Cypress Creek owner Kevin Moody also owns the one-eyed Kentucky Derby qualifier Un Ojo, a gelding sired by Laoban.

Following a Courier Journal story about Laoban’s death, Animal Wellness Action and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed grievances with the veterinary board. A third grievance was filed anonymously. PETA also sent a complaint to Woodford County Sheriff John Wilhoit, who referred the matter to Jones.

Jones declined to provide details of her investigation or project a timeline for its completion. The veterinary board’s letter to PETA vice president Kathy Guillermo cautioned “the grievance process is a lengthy one” and “typically takes at least six months (but sometimes 18 months or longer) to allow for due process.”

More Laoban:PETA, others call on Woodford County sheriff to investigate WinStar stallion Laoban's death

If disciplinary action is deemed appropriate, possible actions could include fines, probation and the suspension of Wharton’s license. According to Tolliver, the veterinary board last suspended a license in October 2020, more than two years after a complaint was received concerning Dr. John Moran.

Moran was ultimately suspended for one year, fined $10,000 and placed on probation for two years after pleading guilty to a criminal charge of defrauding the United States by signing his name to a USDA inspection certificate without actually inspecting the cattle.

Moran’s license was reinstated in January.

Tim Sullivan: 502-582-4650, tsullivan@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @TimSullivan714