Cruel acts see horses left to die

A FORMER racehorse trainer who committed “appalling” acts of cruelty when he left 12 horses to die of starvation has received a two-month suspended jail term.

Magistrate Sharon Cure said that Keith William Toulmin, 68, of Carrick, failed to act for eight weeks after the RSPCA ordered him to provide care and feed for the retired harness racing horses.

Toulmin pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals, one count of aggravated cruelty and one count of fail to comply with an instruction.

Ms Cure said Toulmin had made a living from horses for 40 years so must have been aware of his appalling conduct.

“To leave animals to starve is an appalling failure when horses have been your livelihood,” she said.

The court heard that some of the horses had come from New Zealand and were once wo r th $30,000$40,000.

Toulmin told the court he had trained 300 to 400 winners in his racing career before his licence was suspended by authorities. He said he had been left with the horses when his 45year-old horse trainer son left suddenly. He told Ms Cure that he could not afford to feed the horses because he was a pensioner.

The court heard that the RSPCA had visited a property at Birralee in April 2016 and found 15 horses and a pony in poor condition.

He was ordered to provide feed and medicines. He disposed of three horses but in June the RSPCA visited the property again and euthanised a racehorse called Kinda Taz, which was unable to be helped to its feet. The RSPCA seized the 11 remaining horses which were in an emaciated and weakened state.

Toulmin, who said he was unable to afford legal representation, told Ms Cure that his car had broken down so he could not visit the property and that he could not afford to buy hay. He said his training licence had been suspended as a result of the current proceedings but that he was still caring for five racehorses.

Ms Cure ordered that he not be allowed to own more than five horses for five years.

She ordered he pay the RSPCA $5900 towards their $13,000 costs of caring for the horses. He was also fined $5000.

Keith Toulmin