Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Qld woman charged with animal cruelty
A Queensland track rider has been charged with animal cruelty after a thoroughbred racehorse in her care was allegedly found in poor condition.
September 4, 2018
A woman has been charged with animal cruelty in southeast Queensland after she allegedly neglected a thoroughbred racehorse in her care.
The 20-year-old Jimboomba track rider was charged with animal cruelty and failing to comply with an animal welfare direction under Racing Integrity Act.
Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett says it’s the first time charges had been laid for failing to comply with an animal welfare direction.
“The malnourished horse was seized and placed in the care of another person,” he said on Tuesday.
“The (Queensland Racing Integrity) Commission has also exercised its power to suspend the woman’s Thoroughbred Rider licence effective immediately.”
Investigators from the Queensland Police Service Racing Crime Squad and QRIC found the horse in a poor condition on August 26.
The woman was ordered to increase the animal’s feed, bring in a ferrier, and have the animal examined by a vet and report the results to the Commission.
It’s alleged the woman failed to comply with the direction and the horse was found to have further deteriorated on September 2.
She is due to appear in the Beaudesert Magistrates Court on September 29.