A woman has been charged after an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of multiple horses in the Riverina region.
In January 2026, detectives attached to Murrumbidgee and Murray River Police District Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) commenced an investigation following reports that several horses were allegedly being mistreated at a property in Hay.
Following inquiries, on Thursday 8 May 2026 officers attached to the RCPT Deniliquin and Griffith attended the property and located numerous horses in extremely poor condition. 13 horses were seized and later surrendered to the RSPCA.
As a result of those inquiries, a 67-year-old woman was charged with several animal cruelty offences for which she remains before the courts.
Following further inquiries, on Thursday 30 April 2026, officers attached to the RCPT Deniliquin and Griffith attended the property, where they allegedly identified 30 horses, some of which were malnourished and in poor condition.
On Friday 8 May 2026, officers returned to the property and identified 11 horses that were allegedly severely malnourished, suffering from parasite burden and infection.
All 11 horses were seized and taken to a veterinary facility for treatment and surrendered.
About 1.15pm, RCPT officers arrested a 67-year-old woman at a business in Hay.
She was taken to Hay Police Station and charged with two counts fail to provide proper and sufficient food to animal and commit an act of cruelty upon an animal.
She was given conditional bail to appear before Hay Local Court on Monday 1 June 2026.
