A 73-year-old male from Tailem Bend has been sentenced in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to three counts of animal ill-treatment under South Australia’s Animal Welfare Act over three emaciated horses in his care.
In May 2024, RSPCA SA Inspectors first attended the defendant’s property in response to a cruelty report.
Upon entering the property, the Inspectors observed two black and white cows – both with emaciated body conditions. The cows did not have access to food and were eating weeds that are not palatable to animals.
Inspectors proceeded to locate several horses in a large rear paddock with no access to food. Of particular concern were three horses named Speedy, Shaz and Rose. The defendant informed Inspectors that the horses had not been fed hay since March.
Speedy, a 19-year-old bay-coloured pony (main image), was in a severely emaciated condition. The accused stated that Speedy have been emaciated for approximately one month and believed it was due to him being gelded, though he did not seek veterinary care since
Speedy’s procedure and weight loss.
Shaz, a 22-year-old grey pony, was in an emaciated state and had diarrhoea dried on the back of her rear legs. Shaz’s long shaggy coat indicated that she may be suffering from a disease called Equine Cushings, which was confirmed by the defendant. He advised that Shaz had been diagnosed while in the care of someone else and that he had discontinued her treatment.
Rose (pictured, above), a 20-year-old brown thoroughbred, was also in an emaciated state. Like Shaz, she had diarrhoea dried on her rear legs.
Furthermore, the Inspectors located numerous chickens in four separate yards with no access to food or clean water.
Soon thereafter, officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) attended the property to assess the cows. Meanwhile, Shaz, Rose and Speedy were seized for veterinary assessment. Subsequently, the defendant agreed to surrender all three horses to RSPCA SA. The defendant was issued with Animal Welfare Notices directing him to adequately feed the remaining animals.
Following a veterinary assessment, Shaz, Speedy and Rose were all diagnosed with Body Condition Scores of 1/9, confirming emaciation (the benchmark for a healthy animal is 5/9). In RSPCA SA’s they were placed on strict refeeding programs and regained weight within three months.
In the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court yesterday, Magistrate John Clover acknowledged that the defendant did not have a criminal history and demonstrated remorse for his actions. His Honour sentenced the defendant to a 12-month Good Behaviour Bond in the amount of $500. The defendant is required to return for sentencing should he fail to maintain good behaviour. He was also ordered to pay $901 in veterinary costs to RSPCA SA and $399 in legal fees.
The defendant is allowed to retain two horses in his care but is prohibited from having custody of any more horses (including after the remaining two horses pass away) until further order. He has 30 days to transfer three other horses from his property. The defendant is subject to monitoring once every six months by RSPCA SA for the length of the bond.
His Honour said, “Despite being almost seventy-four years of age and having no criminal history, a conviction for this matter is necessary to support general deterrence for this offending”.
RSPCA SA’s Head of Animal Welfare, Andrew Lewis, said the case serves as an important reminder of the responsibility that comes with caring for horses.
“Horses have very specific care needs and dietary requirements, and it is extremely disappointing when people choose to own horses yet fail to adequately care for them,” said Ms Lewis.
