A JIMBOOMBA woman has been granted bail after being the first person in Queensland to be charged with failing to comply with an animal welfare direction.
Officers issued the 20-year-old Jimboomba thoroughbred racing competitor with an animal welfare direction after an investigation.
It is alleged a horse was found in poor condition on the woman’s property on Sunday, August 26.
The woman was required to arrange a vet examination for the horse, report the results to the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, increase the horse’s feed and order a farrier to maintain the horse’s hooves.
Queensland Racing Crime Squad officers returned to the property to inspect the horse’s condition on September 2.
She was charged with one count of failing to comply with the welfare direction and one count of animal cruelty under the Animal Care and Protection Act.
QRIC commissioner Ross Barnett said the woman’s thoroughbred rider licence had been suspended and she was released on bail under the condition of not having any further animals in her care.
“This is an example of how the Racing Integrity Act can safeguard the welfare of racing animals in Queensland and I would continue to encourage members of the public, if they believe racing animals are not adequately cared for to report it,” he said.
The charges followed a joint Queensland Police Service, Queensland Racing Crime Squad and Queensland Racing Integrity Commission investigation.
She will appear in Beaudesert Magistrates Court on September 29.
