Head Of Rspca To Face Court Over Cruelty Claims

[Boronia]

This article is from the Courier Mail so maybe needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/head-of-rspca-to-face-court-over-cruelty-claims/story-e6freonf-1226225088449

THE head of the RSPCA will appear in a Sydney court on Monday over alleged animal cruelty.

RSPCA president Dr Peter Wright was absent from a Sunday media announcement that the NSW government was contributing $7.5 million towards refurbishing the organisation's Yagoona animal shelter, in Sydney's southwest.

Media were informed Dr Wright was absent because of a family illness before NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell fielded questions about his court appearance.

"The rules apply to everybody, whether you're associated with an organisation or you're a member of the public," Mr O'Farrell said when asked about the matter.

"There's no favouritism. The laws apply equally and the courts get to determine whether or not charges are proven."

Katrina Hodgkinson, the minister responsible for the RSPCA, said: "We'll just wait and see what happens in the court tomorrow."

Asked whether Dr Wright would be standing down from his position, RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman responded: "That's a matter for the courts".

Court lists show a hearing for Peter Wright is listed for mention in Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.

[mita]

Similar report in The Australian. Uses much the same words.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/head-of-rspca-to-face-court-over-cruelty-claims/story-fn3dxity-1226225088449

[Steve]

Would be nice to know what he is accused of.

[Rottshowgirl]

Said something on the news about a horse that he extracted some teeth from? Horse then got infected, absessed etc

Must be a lot more to it to wind up in court

[SkySoaringMagpie]

The local news said he was accused of leaving a horse with broken teeth.

[KatrinaM]

Would that be malpractice or animal cruelty? Sounds a bit suss so far.

[Alyosha]

Not surprising

[Crysti_Lei]

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/head-of-rspca-to-face-court-over-cruelty-claims/story-e6frg12u-1226225088449

Head of RSPCA to face court over cruelty claims

HE head of the RSPCA will appear in a Sydney court on Monday over alleged aggravated cruelty to a horse.

In a statement, the NSW minister responsible for the RSPCA, Katrina Hodgkinson, said the charges against its president, Dr Peter Wright, were being brought by a private individual.

"The offences allege that Mr Wright performed veterinary dental work on a horse at Goulburn on about 22 July 2011 and in so doing committed acts of cruelty and aggravated cruelty upon the animal," Ms Hodginkson said.

She said the complainant had contacted her department asking consent to bring the proceedings as a private individual.

However, consent was denied and he was advised to go in the first instance to either the RSPCA, the Animal Welfare League or NSW police.

Dr Wright was absent from a Sunday media announcement that the NSW government was contributing $7.5 million towards refurbishing the organisation's Yagoona animal shelter, in Sydney's southwest."There does not seem to me to be any reason why it would be inappropriate for (the complainant) to refer his concerns to one or both of NSW animal welfare league and/or the NSW police," Ms Hodgkinson said.

Media were informed he was absent because of a family illness before NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell fielded questions about his court appearance.

"The rules apply to everybody, whether you're associated with an organisation or you're a member of the public," Mr O'Farrell said when asked about the matter.

"There's no favouritism. The laws apply equally and the courts get to determine whether or not charges are proven."

Asked whether Dr Wright would be standing down from his position, RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman responded: "That's a matter for the courts".

Court lists show Mr Wright is listed for mention in Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.

[WoofnHoof]

The use of power tools in equine dentistry is a new thing which has caused problems recently so it wouldn't surprise me if they were involved.

[mita]

The use of power tools in equine dentistry is a new thing which has caused problems recently so it wouldn't surprise me if they were involved.

I googled after reading your post, Woof....& found this submission about equine dentistry from the AVA. Pretty recent, January 2011. Makes mention of how they see the use of power tools....as well as a general list of practices.

Just adding, this is just general info....whatever is at the bottom of this vet's case, is a matter for the courts & will get revealed there.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:rz5lqqoR00cJ:www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/pdfs/Equine%2520Dentistry%2520AVA%2520submission%2520January%25202011%2520FINAL.pdf+Power+tools+equine+dentistry+Australian+Veterinary+Association&hl=en&gl=au&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiLYyN0NAsQkq0DdGqvdicn0k2b6A8Lcv57__GYOnzbyXL69fVauDBJV2H-p8hM2DLLiy8_iXlksfNJFaWHIlpcp-8ld4SNHUiAumaLqL8Lsx3k14OhfeNkG3XLhcHabAvBeH3G&sig=AHIEtbTYoVXAFgwCBLT60qy_Be6zD4cZvA

[megan_]

According to the Australian the charges have been dismissed.

[mita]

According to the Australian the charges have been dismissed.

Thanks, megan. I googled & found the Media Release from RSPCA NSW re the charges being dismissed. The last paragraph says that the informant in this case was already a 'person of interest' in case being prosecuted by RSPCA.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Yk3x8HFLPQkJ:www.rspcansw.org.au/home_news/news_items/rspca_speaks_out_after_allegations_against_president_dismissed+Australian+December+2011+President+of+RSPCA+NSW&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&client=safari

[WoofnHoof]

The use of power tools in equine dentistry is a new thing which has caused problems recently so it wouldn't surprise me if they were involved.

I googled after reading your post, Woof....& found this submission about equine dentistry from the AVA. Pretty recent, January 2011. Makes mention of how they see the use of power tools....as well as a general list of practices.

Just adding, this is just general info....whatever is at the bottom of this vet's case, is a matter for the courts & will get revealed there.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:rz5lqqoR00cJ:www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/pdfs/Equine%2520Dentistry%2520AVA%2520submission%2520January%25202011%2520FINAL.pdf+Power+tools+equine+dentistry+Australian+Veterinary+Association&hl=en&gl=au&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiLYyN0NAsQkq0DdGqvdicn0k2b6A8Lcv57__GYOnzbyXL69fVauDBJV2H-p8hM2DLLiy8_iXlksfNJFaWHIlpcp-8ld4SNHUiAumaLqL8Lsx3k14OhfeNkG3XLhcHabAvBeH3G&sig=AHIEtbTYoVXAFgwCBLT60qy_Be6zD4cZvA

Thanks for that info Mita that's interesting