Pony Draggers Avoid Jail

[MolassesLass]

Boo! Though if they pay the fine it might mean something to them.

Pair who dragged a pony behind a car in Toowoomba have avoided jail terms after pleading guilty to animal cruelty

A MAN and a youth who severely injured a Shetland pony when they dragged it behind a car near Toowoomba on Christmas Day have avoided jail terms.

Zachery Hudson, 17, and Andrew Christopher Cook, 33, both of Murphys Creek, pleaded guilty in the Gatton Magistrates Court to animal cruelty.

Hudson received two years' probation with no conviction recorded, while Cook was given a three-month wholly suspended jail term, with a conviction recorded.

The pair was charged after tethering the pony, dubbed Elf by RSPCA staff, to a car with a rope and dragging it along Murphys Creek Road, near Toowoomba.

Elf's horrific injuries included severe abrasion wounds, some of which exposed its leg joints, and severely damaged and bloodied hooves.

Vets initially thought they would have to put the pony down, but it made a remarkable recovery.

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said the organisation was disappointed with the men's punishment, but added that the magistrate was bound to follow sentences in other comparable cases.

``We're obviously disappointed in the actual sentences,'' he told AAP.

``We feel that the sentence didn't stand up to community expectations.''

The attack on Elf was one of a number of sickening cases which had prompted the government to increase the maximum penalty for serious animal cruelty.

The state's criminal code will be amended to create a new serious animal cruelty offence carrying a maximum seven years' jail, increasing the penalty from the current two-year maximum, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.

Elf's case has been followed closely by animal lovers via the RSPCA's Facebook page.

The pony is likely to be adopted by a charity which uses horses to educate and build self-esteem in disadvantaged young people.

Cook and Hudson have been ordered to pay $3820 each in compensation, which will go to the equine surgery which cared for Elf.

Edited March 15, 2011 by molasseslass

[Sabbath]

Very upsetting that there is no gaol sentence. What must someone do to warrant a real punishment.

[Jed]

Disgusting oafs. People like this certainly remove the "human" from humanity. It's embarrassing to be in the same universe.

[Bullbreedlover]

I heard this on the news this avo and I was disgusted at their smack on the hand sentence. Pathetic.

[Sheilaheel02]

That is not justice in my book. Makes me sick to my stomach. If they were dogs that injured the pony they would be seized and PTS. Deemed dangerous and a menace to society.

Seriously, if the red flag in the demented psyche of these two didn't pop up either before or during this disgusting act, one could reasonably assume they will not even comprehend the fine as part of actions = consequences.

I guess at least this kind of cowardly scum has a name that identifies them. Cook and Hudson, your families must be so proud.

S

[MolassesLass]

We are victims too: pony torturers

A FATHER and son who dragged a pony beside a car, almost killing it, said they would have to move interstate because they were being “victimised”.

Andrew Christopher Cook, 33, and Zachery Hudson, 17, caused public outrage when they tied a rope around a Shetland pony's neck and dragged him almost three kilometres along a bitumen road on Christmas day.

Gatton Magistrates Court was yesterday told how several witnesses watched in horror as the pony battled to keep up with the Commodore, being driven by Cook.

Police Prosecutor senior constable Karen Hall said Hudson held the rope in his hands through an open window, while the pony was forced to run alongside the car travelling about 40kmh.

Snr Const Hall said witnesses saw the horse being dragged along “at full speed with its neck stretched” as the car made a left-hand turn onto Stevens Road at Murphys Creek.

Minutes later the horse fell onto the wet bitumen road as Cook drove at speed up a hill.

The pair fled the scene when a concerned member of the public confronted them.

The court was told the pony, later dubbed Elf by RSPCA staff, suffered significant injuries including torn and bloodied hooves, eight badly damaged joints in his fore and hind legs and severe shock.

It was originally feared Elf would have to be put down but he made a remarkable recovery after four weeks of receiving “intensive medical treatment”.

Cook and Hudson, both of Murphys Creek in the Lockyer Valley, lost their home in the floods and yesterday pleaded for leniency in their sentences, claiming they never meant to hurt the pony. Defence lawyer Brad Skuse said Cook and Hudson had suffered a lot of stress and would be relocating because they were being verbally abused by the public after news spread of their animal cruelty.

The pair pleaded guilty and Cook was sentenced to three months' jail, wholly suspended for three years while Hudson was put on two years' probation with no conviction recorded.

They were both ordered to pay each $3820 for vet bills.

RSPCA inspector Shawn Jansen said he was “extremely disappointed” in the sentence.

- Story

I do not condone violence but a bit of a verbal touch-up is most definitely warranted here - well done Murphy's Creek residents!

[griff]

I honestly want to know when these Judges / Magistrates will grown Balls and lock these low lives

away !! All seem to get off way to easy.

[dogbesotted]

hardly a tap on the wrist..

the further away those scum go the better!

H

[quoll]

I remember this case, the punishment just doesn't fit the crime, these people should be doing time ! penalties are no deterrent when people get off with such light sentences.