‘Serious neglect’: couple found guilty of neglect after emaciated and dehydrated horse found near Nannup

A Nannup couple have been found guilty with animal cruelty and neglect after leaving a 16-year-old horse in a “faeces-ridden” paddock without food for more than a week in July last year. The Rowan Atkinson, 46, and Tracie Irene Marmo, 44, have been fined a total of $7000 and banned from owning horses for two years, after an emaciated and dehydrated horse was found on their South West property on July 22. The RSPCA claimed the animal’s condition was so dire that RSPCA veterinarians had to give it intravenous fluids and medication before it could be removed from the Scott River address. Inspectors found it had taken to eating trees and fence posts around the paddock in the absence of adequate food. The only available water for the horse — known by racing name Spirit of India — to drink was in a plastic trough filled with rubbish. The owners were questioned by an RSPCA WA inspector about the horse’s condition and admitted nobody had been at the property for more than a week as they were moving. She claimed Spirit of India was “quite well looked after”, however the horse’s poor condition indicated prolonged neglect. The RSPCA was first alerted to the horse — which has since made a full recovery — by a member of the public. RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said it was heartbreaking to think about Spirit of India hungry and searching for food for a prolonged period. “Horses need to eat regularly throughout the day, so to leave a horse without proper feed for so long is neglect, plain and simple,” she said. “Ex-racehorses can be relatively easy and cheap to come by, but the cost of their care can add up extremely quickly. “Getting a horse is not a commitment that should be taken lightly.” Ms Green said RSPCA WA is sympathetic to the fact owners can fall on hard times and struggle to provide for their animals, but that’s when you must reach out to friends, family, neighbours, or rescue groups for help. The couple were charged under sections 19(1) and 19(3)(d) of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and found guilty on August 3 at Manjimup Magistrates Court. In addition to the sentence, they were ordered to pay a total of $332.50 in court costs and $2654.94 in reimbursement costs. The maximum penalty for a charge of animal cruelty is a $50,000 fine and five years in jail. The RSPCA relies on the community to report incidents of suspected cruelty and neglect. Report cruelty 24-7 on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 358) or at the RSPCA website.