RSPCA probe
Breeder investigated: the RSPCA is investigating a Hallston horse breeder regarding the condition of the animals.
By Bert van Bedaf
A HALLSTON horse breeder is being investigated over the condition of his animals following a number of recent complaints and inspections.
Greg Boland, manager of inspectorate services at the RSPCA in Melbourne, told The Star that local breeder Uwe Ross was being investigated over the condition of a colt and a number of other of his horses.
The colt has a suspected spinal injury or condition, which is being investigated.
“The RSPCA has concerns for this horse and other horses that the owner has,” Mr Boland said.
The Star was contacted as a result of a previous story on horses owned by Mr Ross, located in Venus Bay. A Tarwin Lower resident Jodie Anderson, had expressed concern over those horses, but these concerns were later refuted.
Last week Mirboo North resident Heather Lea contacted The Star expressing concerns over horses in a paddock in Castle St and also owned by Mr Ross.
Another resident Evelyn Smith, joined her and echoed Ms Lea’s concerns. They said that the condition of horses kept on the Hallston property of Mr Ross was also worrying them.
On February 1, Ms Lea alerted The Star to the condition of the colt, which she said was “near death”.
She said the horse had spinal injuries as a result of having been attacked by the dominant stallion at Castle St. She said she could not stand seeing the horse suffer any longer and called friends for help.
The RSPCA was informed and a veterinarian was called who treated the colt, which was moved from the Ross property.
Mr Boland said he was aware of the developments and that the colt’s spinal condition was “under veterinarian treatment”.
“We are aware the colt was given to new owners and that it has been getting veterinarian treatment.”
He said the RSPCA would need to determine the extent of the condition before it could take legal action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. So far no allegations had been made and the investigation was ongoing.
“We are checking on the welfare of the colt and other animals to determine if an offence has occurred. We have not charged the person with any offences at this stage. The matter is under investigation and we can’t pre-empt the investigation to say whether there is a case for neglect,” Mr Boland said.
Concerns over horses bred by Mr Ross have been ongoing for several years. It is believed Mr Ross owns up to 40 horses, kept at several properties.
Mr Ross breeds Walers, a type of horse that was first developed in Australia in the 1800s and made famous by the Light Horse Brigade in several wars, including the Boer War and World War I.
Peter Fischer, vice president of the Waler Horse Owners and Breeders Association of Australia, said Mr Ross had not had his association membership renewed for more than two years. It expired in June 2007.
“We started to get reports from people saying his horses weren’t looked after properly. Mr Ross won’t take advice. He thinks he’s doing the right thing,” Mr Fischer said.
“We continued to get complaints from a number of distressed people, concerned with Mr Ross’s approach and as a consequence we’ve had to deny him future membership.”
Mr Fischer said Mr Ross appeared to have “too many horses” and was unable to look after them. “They appear to suffer from lack of maintenance and he doesn’t want to get rid of any of them,” Mr Fischer said.
The RSPCA website provides details on a phenomenon known as hoarding. Association research profiles the problem of animal hoarders and the cost to the animals in their care. It says that animal hoarders accumulate large numbers of animals for whom they are unable to provide adequate care.
Short URL: http://www.thestar.com.au/?p=150
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