Michael Morrissey appeared in Dubbo Local Court yesterday, charged with aggravated cruelty and failing to provide proper and sufficient food for his horse.

The court was told that a Dubbo

City Council ranger attended the Harnett Transportable Homes on the Gilgandra Road in August 2006, after a complaint from police about the condition of a horse.

The ranger contacted vet Trudy Humphreys who on arrival to the stable found the 30-year-old mare named ‘Frenchy’ lying in its urine and faeces, severely emaciated, malnourished and in “severe pain”.

The horse was euthanased by Ms Humphreys after it was deemed to be in a condition which was cruel to be kept alive.

Giving evidence in court yesterday Mrs Humphreys said the horse was 100 to 200 kilograms underweight, was unable to stand, had inflamed hooves, had been bleeding from the mouth and had suffered a seizure.

She concluded “it was more humane to end the suffering of the horse”.

“With intensive care, the condition of the animal may have been redeemed,” Ms Humphreys said.

Mr Morrissey also gave evidence yesterday and said he was “disgusted by the whole situation and upset that they destroyed my horse without my knowledge”.

Mr Morrissey was not at the property at the time his horse was put down.

The court heard Mr Morrissey had cared for about 60 horses in his life and had ‘Frenchy’ in his care since the horse was born.

Mr Morrissey’s barrister Mr Rickard said that because of his client’s age, because he was on a pension and looking after his disabled wife, his circumstances had got him to the point that he was unable to give the care needed to his horse.

In sentencing, Magistrate Howard Hamilton said the condition of the horse was “unacceptable”.

“It’s unacceptable to allow

a horse to suffer in severe

pain such as this horse did,” he said.

“If that was the way you deal with animals then you shouldn’t be keeping them.”

Magistrate Hamilton stopped short of sending Mr Morrissey to jail because of his “good record”.

Mr Morrissey who pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this year was sentenced to serve a nine-month good behaviour bond and will pay court costs of about $270.

The charge of failing to provide proper and sufficient food to the animal was dismissed.