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Dr Hugh Wirth, President RSPCA
Monday August 28
Dear Dr. Wirth,
Re: RSPCA Lies to the Public Regarding the Tolmie Horses
I will be lodging a formal complaint to the Omsbudsman regarding the RSPCA's handling and reporting of the Tolmie Horses situation near Mansfield. Below is a copy of RSPCA correspondence that has been forwarded to me by several people after they received it from the RSPCA in answer to their serious concerns for these horses. These people contacted you after viewing photographs I took on August 22 of the horses in Tolmie and after reading a report I emailed to you on August 23rd, which remains unanswered.
Three people were with me when I took these photographs and another neighbour, on the day, identified the photo of the frail Clydesdale as the horse she has been seeing down the ravine for the six weeks prior. Yet the RSPCA states to the public that "The majority of the images shown are of the horses condition several months ago.." This is absolutely wrong and you know it.
I would like you to also identify and point out exactly what information and in what emails, you are stating is "incorrect". The RSPCA has failed to answer any of my emails regarding these horses and/or identify any routine that is in place for proper treatment of these horses, especially as the red worm infestation was identified on June 3. This is similiar treatment given to the initial complainant Kay Sundborn, whose sincere concern for these animals goes back to February this year.
On your website you display a photograph of an 'old clydesdale' simply dated June 06 with this caption: "this horse was moved to a separate small yard on the instructions of the RSPCA for closer monitoring and intensive feeding. Sadly this Clydesdale has now been humanely euthanised at the owner's request, he was an old horse and failed to respond to intensive supplementary feeding and treatment" [note: there is no mention of when this horse was moved to this yard?]
If only this Clydesdale had been moved to an enclosure with proper bedding, shelter and nutrition, given his poor condition, when the RSPCA was first advised he was down a ravine, he would not be dead. This is the same horse that neighbours have identified as being down in the ravine over the cold winter months, and NOT in the small yard. By the way, this yard belongs to a neighbour and there was no shelter or hard feed witnessed in this area for what was a very ill horse. You will have to produce evidence exactly when that photo was taken, as I do not believe it was in June, but on August 23 when two of your inspectors attended on the property. If it was taken in June, as you state on your website, why does this horse look in exactly the same poor condition as in the photo I took almost three months later on August 22?
You refer to "the majority of horses have shown signs of improvement" but again there is no proof of 'the majority of the horses' and no mention of just how many horses are involved and how many have already died and/or been put down. And it's interesting that the RSPCA didn't feature the other very thin horses I took photos of on August 22, including the grey mare (identified as white horse) who was heavily pregnant and in appalling condition.
You state the RSPCA is not able to seize these animals, but I dispute this. Barrie Tapp, when senior inspector of the RSPCA seized several Clydesdale horses, who were not even in as poor condition. And these same horses were later feted as success stories by the RSPCA. Also you are aware of section 24(a) of POCTAA: 24A Minister may authorise seizure of animal and the Minister has the power to delegate this authority to other specialist inspectors named in the authority, namely, the RSPCA.
The sad condition of many of these horses and the death of the Clydesdale on August 23 lies at the feet of the RSPCA.
Sincerely for animals,
Patty Mark, President
Animal Liberation Victoria
----- Original Message -----
From: RSPCA Enquiries
To: RSPCA Enquiries
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2006 4:53 PM
Subject: Horse Welfare
Thank you for emailing regarding concerns for the welfare of the horses, RSPCA shares your concern and we have had our Inspectors, equine specialists and local veterinarians assisting with this case.
We are aware of emails being sent to people with some details of the case and also some images. The majority of the images shown are of the horses condition several months ago as the majority have improved except one clydesdale that sadly failed to show any improvement. Unfortunately much of the information in the emails being distributed is also incorrect.
Many of the horses diagnosed by the equine specialist found to be suffering from red worm infestation and a resistance to the drenching program.
The majority of the horses have shown signs of improvement, whilst others not showing improvement in their condition have had further blood samples taken by the visiting Veterinarian to check for diseases or any other factors that could affect their condition. We have posted some information and images of this case on our website, http://www.rspcavic.org/animal_hoarding.htm. This is an on-going case and please be assured that we will continue to work closely to improve the welfare of these horses.
Kind regards,
RSPCA Victoria
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