Following a two-day hearing in Bega Local Court, a decision over a local woman facing multiple charges of horse neglect has been adjourned until next month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tantawangalo woman Janice Louise Denny has given her submissions in court after a hearing on September 28-29.
Ms Denny, 59, appeared at the hearing unrepresented to contest two counts of failing to provide proper and sufficient food, and four counts of failing to provide vet treatment to horses and ponies at properties in Tantawangalo, Wolumla, and Candelo between mid-June and late September 2020.
She pleaded not guilty to all six charges.
Barrister Mark Higgins appeared on behalf of the RSPCA Yagoona for the prosecution.
He said reports produced to the court by RSPCA Inspector James Arentz, Detective Inspector Greg Hutchins, and veterinarian Dr Petrea Wait relating to 26 horses and ponies at a property in Tantawangalo pointed towards the poor condition of the horses being due to insufficient feed and care.
The evidence he said was in the absence of feed noted by Inspector Arentz and the poor hide condition of the seized horses.
On the Wolumla property he said the conditions for the horses being placed on retiree Gregory Thomas' land were not fulfilled. He also added that Mr Thomas's statement had shown he was concerned about the lack of food provided.
Mr Higgins maintained that the poor condition of the animals was based on the opinion of Dr Wait and tests verifying the poor nutrition status of the animals.
Another charge was for a pony placed on a property in Candelo, which, according to admissions made to the court, had an ulceration in its mouth causing pain to the horse and the inability for it to properly masticate.
The court also heard another pony at Tantawangalo had a significant abscess, likely caused by a lesion, that was significantly infected and needed treatment.
Mr Higgins maintained that for all charges where ownership and caretaking of the horses was concerned, it remained the prosecution's case that Ms Denny was the key caretaker.
Following the prosecution, Ms Denny presented her defence submissions to the court.
Regarding the 26 horses and ponies at Tantawangalo, she maintained that they were signed over to her family and another man was the owner of the horses and that she simply "assisted".
She also said she had given worming treatments to the horses, but her witness to corroborate this information did not show up for court.
Ms Denny also maintained that the gates at Mr Thomas' property were locked when she tried to bring hay to the horses and ponies on the Wolumla property.
She said that the pony with the abscess had been administered oral antibiotics, but had no witness to corroborate.
For the horse needing dental treatment, Ms Denny said the horse was able to gain weight and was in good condition, was of a significant age, and that she had consulted with the alleged owner, to seek veterinary treatment.
Magistrate Doug Dick said the court needed to be considerate and compassionate for people who self-represent, but that Ms Denny's submissions were "both on and off track".
The magistrate reserved judgement with the matter to return to Bega Local Court on November 10.
To read more Court and Crime, click here