Murray Bridge woman sentenced for starving horses on Murraylands property

A woman has been sentenced for starving three horses – one of which died – saying she was struggling financially but couldn’t part with them. WARNING: Graphic images.

A Murray Bridge woman has avoided jail and ordered to pay compensation after she was sentenced for starving three horses, one of which later died from a gastric rupture.

Magistrate Brian Nitschke sentenced the woman to three months’ jail, suspended on a 15-month good behaviour bond in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court on Monday.

An RSPCA SA inspector responded to a report of animal cruelty on August 1 last year at a Copeville property belonging to the defendant’s father, where the horses were being agisted.

The inspector reported the animals’ bones were clearly visible through the rugs they had on at the time.

Due to ongoing concerns for the horses’ welfare, an RSPCA SA inspector returned to the property weeks later with a vet, an SA Police officer and an animal transport driver.

The defendant was also present at the property, telling the inspector she was “struggling financially”.

Ibra was one of the horses seized. She made a full recovery with proper feeding and was also rehomed. Pic: RSPCA

The woman confirmed three horses named Ahilla, Dreamer and Rain had been taken to a nearby property on August 2 last year and another two horses named Ibra and Anastasia were moved to the same property a few days later.

The inspector issued the woman with two animal welfare notices, directing her to ensure all animals always had access to clean fresh water, were fed twice daily with good-quality food and had access to shelter.

Ahilla weighed only 268kg when she was seized and while under veterinary care, the mare suffered a gastric rupture and was euthanased on humane grounds.

Dreamer was another of the horses seized by an RSPCA inspector from a property at Copeville in the Murraylands. Picture: RSPCA SA

The team then attended the other agistment property, where the owner stated she had allowed the horses on to her property because “they were dying” at the defendant’s property, but they still belonged to defendant because she would not part with them.

The inspector decided to seize Ahilla, Dreamer and Ibra because they were in the poorest condition and the horses were transported to Roseworthy Equine Health and Performance Centre for veterinarian care.

All three horses returned a body condition of 1/9, which is the lowest end of the scale for body fat. Dreamer and Ibra made full recoveries and were eventually rehomed.

Ahilla weighed just 268kg when she admitted and suffered a gastric rupture while she was in the vet’s care. She was euthanased on humane grounds.

Mr Nitschke told the defendant her decision to transfer the horses to the other property should have been made much earlier.

“These animals are defenceless and rely upon human beings for their welfare,” he said. “You fell beneath that standard.”

The woman was also ordered to compensate RSPCA SA $15,668 for veterinary costs and an additional $358 for legal costs.

She was also prohibited from owning any horses until further order.