NSW:RSPCA boss escapes prosecution

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2011
NSW:RSPCA boss escapes prosecution

By Vincent Morello, Police Reporter

SYDNEY, Dec 19 AAP - Allegations of animal cruelty against the head of the RSPCA have
been dismissed and the animal protection agency is set to prosecute his accuser on an
unrelated matter.

RSPCA president (NSW) Peter Wright did not appear in Sydney's Downing Centre District
Court on Monday but his counsel successfully had the matter thrown out.

Horse breeder Gary Young made the allegation but needed permission from NSW Primary
Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson to proceed.

In a statement on Sunday, Ms Hodgkinson said she declined to provide consent for the
private prosecution.

She also said Mr Young should contact the Animal Welfare League, NSW Police or the
RSPCA with any complaints of animal cruelty.

But in a new twist to the case, the RSPCA has launched court action against Mr Young,
who has a property at Goulburn, based on the inspection of a horse in September 2010.

He has been charged with five offences that include aggravated cruelty against an animal,
failing to provide veterinarian treatment and failing to provide proper and sufficient
food to an animal.

The case against Dr Wright was dismissed by Magistrate Dennis Burdett on the basis
of a lack of jurisdiction.

"You can't start until you've got the minister's permission," Mr Burdett said.

Mr Young interpreted public comments by Premier Barry O'Farrell on Sunday, that everyone
is treated equally under the law, as reason enough for the matter to proceed.

But Mr Burdett said only the minister could give consent.

"The premier of this state is pussy-whipped," Mr Young told reporters outside court.

"He's been told by Katrina (Hodgkinson) that he's not allowed to give permission for
the president of the RSPCA to be prosecuted."

The allegations stem from dental surgery Dr Wright performed in July on Maddison, a
three-year-old Haflinger cross, in Goulburn, south of Sydney, where his private practice
is located.

Maddison's owner, Tempe Hornibrook, said the horse had needed two teeth removed but
they had only been broken off by Dr Wright, resulting in an abscess which required surgery
from an equine dentist to fix the problem.

"She's just sweet as nature but after this incident she just turned against me because
she was in pain," Ms Hornibrook told AAP.

Comment was sought from Dr Wright through his office and through the RSPCA but he was
not available.

It is understood his father is ill.

RSPCA chief executive (NSW) Steve Coleman said Dr Wright took allegations of animal
cruelty very seriously.

"As the chairman of our board, he's a professional and adds value to the overall mix
of the board," Mr Coleman told AAP.

He also said the RSPCA had launched the court action against Mr Young.

Mr Young told AAP he would vigorously defend the charges.

The matter has been set down for hearing on February 27 and 28.

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KEYWORD: LEGAL: WRIGHT WRAP (PIX AVAILABLE)

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