The ‘Punishment’ does NOT fit the crime!

“The offending in this case is very serious. Nine of his horses have been let go almost to the point of starvation. A significant number of his horses have been euthanised because of their body condition. One of his foals was in the worst condition that the RV veterinarian had ever encountered.”

The above is quoted from the Victorian Racing Tribunal when they decided on a suitable penalty for Mr Stutchbury of Flowerdale, who was found guilty of eleven charges of failing to provide his horses with water and feed, failing to adhere to veterinary advice – and even failing to correct his management after Racing Victoria had given him the chance to do so.

All horses had been found in body conditions ranging from 0-1.5, emaciated or extremely poor. After Mr Stutchbury had been instructed to correct his wrongdoings, the inspection team came back to find horses who had deteriorated even further.

Each of the nine starvation charges resulted in 24 months disqualification of Mr Stutchbury’s racing license. However, the racing body decided that these nine disqualification periods is to be served concurrently, resulting in a total ‘penalty’ of 2.5 years suspension of his license.

No fine and no criminal charges. And they were comfortable with leaving the surviving horses in his care.

Taken from the Coalition For The Potection Of Racehorses FB page