Most owners care

AS a thoroughbred owner and breeder, I found the program on TV showing the terrible cruelty to ex-racehorses in Queensland and NSW horrific. Immediate action should be taken by those in power to eliminate such barbaric treatment of defenceless animals. Fortunately, most people I know in the industry treat their animals with great care from birth, through racing to a peaceful paddock retirement.

Those cowardly, inhumane creatures responsible for such cruelty should be sentenced appropriately, as should those who cause abhorrent suffering to other human beings. Why, in this day and age, are there not such severe penalties so as to eliminate this terrible inhumane treatment?

This follows a public meeting and elector poll initiated by residents of the Tasman Municipality over the question of an amalgamation with Sorell. Confident of a “yes” vote, the then minister for local government encouraged all parties to respect the results of the poll and a council resolution was passed 6:1 in favour of honouring the outcome. An unprecedented 77 per cent participation rate returned an overwhelming 69 per cent “No” vote, averting the amalgamation threat. Elector polls and public meetings are few and far between, are demonstrably not obsolete, do deliver a clear outcome and it is their loss that would indeed incur a large cost.

There has never been any actual evidence that any of the Essendon players were in fact given the thymosin supplement in question.

The AFL’s own tribunal, composed of two senior Victorian judges and a top Victorian QC, found there was no evidence of guilt and not one of the players charged failed a blood or urine test. In essence, this must prove the supplement they did not take was not banned at the time they did not take it.

The players, coach at the time James Hird, and the Essendon Football Club deserve to get the case heard in a court of law. The federal Minister for Sport should be able to intervene and ensure that justice is finally done.