SIX horses were left starving and without shelter at an Inglewood property when their owner failed to attend the paddock for almost eight weeks, a court heard yesterday.
Croydon man, Terrence Meredith, 66, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates Court to two animal cruelty-related charges.
RSPCA prosecutor Jason Nichols told the court six of the seven horses found at the property on April 8, this year, were in poor condition and two horses had a body score condition of 1.5 on a scale where 0 was very poor and 5 was very fat.
"A chestnut mare was in poor condition - her ribs were visible, her backbone prominent, her hips were protruding, her rump was sunken and she had muscle wastage of the neck - another was in the same condition," he said.
Mr Nichols said an RSPCA inspector attended the Cummins Road property after a complaint.
"It was immediately obvious that the horses had no available grazing in the paddock and he did not see any evidence of supplementary feeding," he said.
A veterinarian arrived at the property shortly after and confirmed that six horses were in poor condition, weak and starving.
Mr Nichols told the court the RSPCA inspector made contact with Meredith, who
stated he would attend the property the following day.
He said Meredith attended the property and according to his neighbour,
appeared horrified at the condition of his horses and was apologetic.
In an interview with RSCPA staff, Meredith said he hadn't been to the property for about seven weeks, but they were okay when he last saw them.
Representing himself, Meredith said he usually went to the property every eight weeks to feed the horses and had no idea they were starving.
"I agree they were in poor condition," he said.
Magistrate Jane Patrick said she could not comprehend how in the dry conditions that someone could leave horses unfed for eight weeks and think it was okay.
"If people can't look after animals, then they shouldn't have any," she said.
The magistrate took Meredith's plea of guilty into account, his co-operation with the RSPCA and his quick response upon identifying his horses' condition.
Ms Patrick did not convict Meredith, but fined him $1250 and ordered him to pay $84 in costs.