AN animal rights group has denied spreading misinformation about dozens of horses caught up in an alleged animal cruelty case near Bathurst.
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Around 70 horses, located on a property at Neville, are subject to a current RSPCA investigation and on Thursday the charity said misinformation was being spread online by "social media lynch mobs".
An animal rights group called RSPCA Fail has taken to social media numerous times this week claiming the horses are starving and that the RSPCA was failing to act.
It claimed donations of feed were urgently needed, but did not explain why the owner was unable to provide this feed.
It also called for people to foster or re-home the horses.
RSPCA Fail declined an invitation by Australian Community Media to comment and instead referred to a separate Sydney-based animal rights group called Legion DX who would comment on their behalf.
MAP: The horses are on a property in Neville
Legion DX co-founder and lead organiser Isy Veira denied spreading misinformation about the horses' situation.
"We're getting our information from the current owner of the horses and we've also been in contact with the property owner as well," she said.
Ms Veira said the horses are the victim of a divorce battle and they are owned by one person, while the property where they are located is owned by another.
She said the owner of the horses contacted RSPCA Fail for assistance in the matter.
"She was dissatisfied with the inaction of the RSPCA in assisting her with the horses," she said.
Ms Veira said the subsequent social media posts to the RSPCA Fail page were to raise awareness of the horses' plight.
"Our goal was to try and assist with re-home, rescue or foster, we've been trying to encourage the owner to release the horses to rescue," she said.
Ms Veira called on the RSPCA to assist the horses.
"They've got the powers to either remove the horses from her care and get them the care that they need," she said.
"If they've been out there the five times that they've said they've been out there, what are they doing?"
Ms Veira said a database of people willing to foster or re-home the horses had been created and this would be passed on to the RSPCA.
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
