A GROUP of around 50 protestors took to the streets of Bega on Saturday to bring attention to what they see as RSCPA inaction.
An investigation into the alleged neglect of as many as 200 horses in the Candelo area was the focus of the group’s anger.
With the investigation still ongoing, a group of protestors met in Bega to vent their frustrations with authorities.
Some 50 people, including many children, were joined by horse owners who had brought along several Shetland ponies, which attracted plenty of attention.
Starting at the Bega Courthouse on the corner of Carp St, the group moved onto the Bega Valley Shire Council chambers carrying placards saying “RSCPA, BVSC, police, no action why?”, “Save the horses” and “Shame”.
Lynette Murphy from Nimmitabel led the protest and said she hoped that it would “put pressure on the RSPCA to do something”.
The protest grew out of a Facebook page started by local Lara Fanning, who is also frustrated at what she says is the “slow progress” of the RSPCA investigation into neglect allegations.
“At this point there is a lot of anger and a fair amount of distrust,” she said.
Ms Fanning’s complaints were one of several against the same owner that sparked the investigation, with claims that horses were underweight and in distress.
“Many of the people protesting no longer trust the RSCPA to intervene and save these animals, one day we are told they are still actively investigating, another that they just monitoring.
“It seems like the RSCPA is just not doing their job.
“We feel like they just want it die down and go away, but this protest is designed to let them know that we won’t,” Ms Fanning said.
The RSPCA has inspected the horses and a report into the allegations is expected soon.
