Owners, like Michelle Downes, are angry their horses were left to rot in paddock

THEY were meant to be treated with respect, but horse owners are angry that their animals were treated like rubbish.

HORSE owners are “furious” after their dearly loved animals that they paid to have buried were left to rot in a paddock.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has been investigating the disposal of 100 horses left on a property north of Romsey.

The council acted after a complaint that they were left to be eaten by foxes and other animals.

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Michelle Downes on her horse Dell.

Michelle Downes, the former Miss Australia winner and previous wife of Peter Brock, paid $250 to a local landowner who promised to bury her horse Dell under a tree.

“I was furious because it was my understanding my horse would be buried. I didn’t want him to go to the knackery to be cut up for dog meat. I was told he would be given a dignified burial,” she said.

“All these years I thought he was in a nice spot in a paddock under a tree, it is devastating, it’s was awful to think someone would mislead you.”

Peter Brock and Michelle Downes.

The landowner had an arrangement with a local veterinarian to dispose of horses that had been euthanised.

The vet has since left the area.

The landowner hung up on the Herald Sun when asked about the investigation into his practices.

“I think you can chat to them,” he said.

Jahnae Parrish was in tears when she heard her horse may have been left in a paddock instead of being buried.

Ms Parrish also paid $250 to the landowner to bury her show horse, Ryan, who died after a suspected snake bite last year.

“I called all the doggies (dog meat processors) and they couldn’t come out until two days later,” she said.

“Then I got the number for this guy and I was willing to wait the extra couple of days to have him buried in the ground.

Ms Parrish said that the council should allow people to bury their horses on their property.

“Or they could build a kiln big enough to cremate them,” she added.

Michelle Downes’ horse Dell, who she says was left to rot in a paddock.

Macedon Shire Ranges Council spokeswoman Leanne Morton said: “Council is currently investigating whether a planning permit is required for the current use of the property by the landowner.

“No determination has been made at this time, and conversations with the landowner are continuing.

“While RSPCA Victoria and Racing Victoria were initially involved, they are no longer a party to the ongoing investigation.”

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