Shetland pony euthanised after RSPCA found her ‘visibly shaking’ with hoofs as ‘long as elf shoes’

A Derwent Valley man is fighting animal cruelty claims in court, after the RSPCA allegedly found his pony “visibly shaking” with overgrown hoofs.

A DERWENT Valley man accused of letting his pony’s hoofs grow “so long they looked like elf shoes” is fighting allegations of animal cruelty in court.

Molly, a Shetland pony, was euthanised in October 2020 after an RSPCA inspector visited Stephen Marshall Hall’s Westerway property for a second time, allegedly finding the creature in pain and “visibly shaking” due to overgrown hoofs that had scalloped upwards.

Mr Hall, who is representing himself in the Hobart Magistrates Court, has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty, aggravated cruelty, and using a management method likely to result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain or suffering.

He has argued Molly’s hoof condition – laminitis – was pre-existing and that it was being treated by a farrier.

“The pony was put down, in my opinion, due to an exaggerated misdiagnosis,” he told the court on Thursday.

“Her condition was not untreatable and fatal.”

But RSPCA inspector Ashleigh Burnett, giving evidence on Thursday, said Molly – and another, smaller pony named Scooter, had such long hoofs that they seemed to have trouble walking.

Ms Burnett arranged for Molly to be euthanised on the basis of a recommendation by a vet.

The inspector’s body-worn camera footage was played to the court, with Ms Burnett expressing concern about Molly’s level of pain and that Mr Hall had not removed the ponies from grass as advised on her previous visit nine months earlier.

“He’s left them out there and let it continue to happen,” Ms Burnett can be heard saying in the footage.

“That’s not someone who’s managing them appropriately.”

She can then be heard saying Molly would be euthanised behind a shed, out of Scooter’s view.

RSPCA prosecutor Malcolm Caulfield has alleged Mr Hall failed to care for Molly’s hoofs by trimming them, caring for them, or feeding her food to prevent laminitis.

The contested hearing continues.

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