A Mt Isa man was found guilty of animal cruelty yesterday in the District Court after he shot and killed 41 horses on a property in Longreach in 2021.
This case was investigated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Police.
The man pled guilty to one count of serious animal cruelty and several weapons and unlawful entry offences.
In 2021, RSPCA Queensland stated that the community would absolutely expect the offender to spend time in jail. However, this suspended sentence sees this man walk free.
RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon says, “This outcome is shocking and bitterly disappointing.”
“No sentence can prevent the suffering that these horses endured, but the outcome certainly doesn’t serve as a deterrent to others.”
“We’ve certainly seen our fair share of awful acts of violence towards animals and this mass scale shooting is one of them.”
“It really makes us question what you have to do to an animal to serve time in prison.”
If you see animal cruelty or animal welfare concerns, report it to the RSPCA’s Animal Emergency Hotline 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).
