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A woman who left her horse so poorly fed that it was unable to stand and eventually died has been sentenced at the Levin District Court.
Thirty-one-year-old Te Ara Smiler pleaded guilty to ill treatment of an animal, and was disqualified from owning a horse for five years, given 120 hours of community service, and ordered to pay nearly $500 in veterinarian expenses as punishment.
The SPCA was called to Smiler's property in August last year, after receiving a tip-off that her brown gelded horse Rangi was in a poor condition.
An inspector discovered the "very narrow strip of land" the horse was confined to had no grass, hay or clean water, with the horse forced to eat what the SPCA described as "unpalatable" trees and hedges.
The inspector also found remnants of another horse that had been cremated under a pile of corrugated iron.
SPCA chief executive Ric Odom says there are far too many examples of neglect causing the death of horses.
"There is no doubt that the defendant's failure to meet her core obligations to provide for the needs of her horses, and ensure treatment in times of injury or illness, resulted in the horses suffering unnecessary pain and distress," he said.
"Domesticated animals like horses, dogs, and cats are completely dependent on us for their survival. Horses in particular are vulnerable to starvation when confined to poor quality grazing.
"Unable to escape, they face a lingering, painful death."
(SPCA)
(SPCA)
A statement from the SPCA said Smiler's horse Rangi had an elevated heart and respiratory rate, and "was in very thin body condition with ribs, spine, hip, and shoulder bones all clearly visible".
The veterinarian who assessed Rangi said the horse was in "severe pain". He said treating Rangi "would only prolong its suffering", and recommended euthanasia.
Newshub.
