The pair were fined and banned from owning a horse for the next twelve months.
A husband and wife were found guilty of animal cruelty in relation to a horse.
The charges date back to September 2015 when the pair failed to provide proper care for their 12-year-old gelded pony, Rio. The pony had Laminitis, a painful condition where the bone can tear away from the hoof wall and be driven down inside the hoof capsule by the full weight of the horse. It can also render the animal unable to stand or move.
An RSPCA WA Inspector attended a property in September 2015, after a report about a lame pony. Rio was seized by the Inspector and later moved to a foster care property where he could receive proper veterinary treatment and begin his long rehabilitation.
The man and woman were fined a total more than $15000 and were banned from being in charge of any horse for a year.
RSPCA WA Chief Inspector Amanda Swift said Laminitis was a serious, but easily preventable issue for horses.
"Horses and ponies require extensive maintenance and care, and owners need to be aware of the environmental factors that can affect the health and welfare of their pets," she said.
“Overfeeding your pony or horse is just as bad as underfeeding him, and in Rio’s case, we’re thankful that a concerned member of the community reported this to us before it became a death sentence for Rio.
“I’m pleased to say that Rio has made a slow, but full recovery in the care of one of RSPCA WA’s dedicated foster carers, and will now be able to live the rest of his life in comfort, free from pain.”
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