Friday, September 5, 2014

Starving horse saved from horror garage sale

AUSTRALIA -- Lockyer Valley woman Sandrea Twigt could not rest after coming across a poorly nourished miniature horse at a garage sale.

She has detailed the anger she and husband John felt after coming across horses, dogs, pigs and other animals in what she described as "horrific scenes" at a farm near Esk on Saturday.

The RSPCA yesterday confirmed it had received "a large number" of complaints in relation to the property.


Mr and Mrs Twigt went to the Gatton-Esk Rd property in search of farm equipment after learning a garage sale was being held.

Mrs Twigt said she was shocked to find a large number of dogs when she arrived at the house.
"I looked in the paddock and saw the horses were quite skinny," Mrs Twigt said.

She came across the miniature horse.

"I said to my husband, 'we can't leave that here'."

They asked for a price but decided they didn't want to encourage the owners' treatment of animals by paying them money.

However, Mrs Twigt said they could not rest after returning to their Forest Hill home that evening.
They drove back the farm on Sunday to negotiate a sale.

A vet nurse friend came over when the couple got the horse to its new home.

They clipped the animal's matted hair, which was infested with lice.

"To look at her you would think she was a fat little fluff ball but, to put your hand on her, you just felt bone.

"It was just sickening."

Mrs Twigt was confident her miniature horse would be nursed back to health but was worried about the other animals.

"There are other ponies there that really just need some help," she said.

Somerset Regional Council development manager Brad Sully said compliance officers counted 20 dogs of varying breeds at the property on Wednesday.

He said residents were permitted to have two registered dogs and then allowances for working dogs could be made if contracts of employment could be produced.

"They have been given 14 days to remove the excess dogs," Mr Sully said. "If we don't get any co-operation, we clearly escalate the enforcement actions."

A Biosecurity Queensland spokeswoman said the department was investigating an animal welfare situation relating to a number of animals in poor condition at the Buaraba property.

"While the matter is under investigation, Biosecurity Queensland cannot make any specific comments about this case," she said.

"Under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 all persons in charge of animals have a duty of care to ensure the animals receive appropriate food, water, living conditions and treatment for any disease or injury."

To report animal welfare concerns, call the department on 132523 or RSPCA on 1300264625.

(Gladstone Observer- Aug 15, 2014)

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