Horse charges demanded

The outrage of Wairarapa horse lovers over the plight of a string of malnourished former race horses and the failure to prosecute their owner has been backed up by the racing industry.
An industry executive said yesterday a prosecution was needed to "send a strong message" to horse owners after the deaths of six thoroughbreds on a property near Woodville.
On Saturday, the Times-Age reported the former race horses had been left to die and 13 others were in various states of malnourishment and neglect after being left to roam on "sour" paddocks north of Pahiatua.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing spokesman Simon Cooper said the deaths were an appalling case of animal neglect and while his organisation could not prosecute, it would support charges being laid.
"We would prefer, if all the right conditions were met and there was evidence, that there was a prosecution. Absolutely.
"I think it would send a pretty strong message."
He said the owner was now unlicensed but had been licensed with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing in the past.
"This has been noted on his record ... if he applies in the future, it's highly unlikely that he would get a licence again."
He said the owner of the horses was known to the racing industry as a "repeat offender" but last year when a racing integrity unit investigated the property, it discovered only low-level feed and pasture issues.
"It's just another case of animal neglect. It's not the first and sadly it won't be the last," Mr Cooper said.
Since the story broke, the Times-Age has been inundated with calls and emails from readers demanding to know why the owner had not been prosecuted.
Wairarapa SPCA president Val Ball said prosecution remains an option but first there are "processes" that have to be followed.
"We have laid out a list of instructions he has to follow, starting with drenching them last week, and he will be monitored monthly to make sure he complies."
It was likely the horses died of worm burden, a parasitic condition that attacks the gut and causes scouring and weight loss, and could cause sudden death if the main artery to the digestive tract was attacked.
But Mrs Ball said SPCA vets did not get to the property fast enough after the horses died to be certain.
"We don't have 100 per cent proof that it was neglect that killed those horses. If we can't prove it, we can't prosecute."
She said three of the remaining 13 horses were to be taken to a new home on a Wairarapa property today, with another three to follow soon, leaving the owner with seven horses.
Neither SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger nor national president Bob Kerridge were available to comment yesterday.