The Department of Agriculture has announced that new legislation has made it illegal to use electric prodders on horses.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner said making use of electric prodders was an act of cruelty.
“Their banning was one of the recommendations made by the Inquiry into Animal Cruelty in the Management of Retired Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horses in Queensland,” Mr Furner said.
“This will help to protect horses from unnecessary pain,” he said.
“Anyone who owns or works with horses, including horse owners, racing industry organisations, trainers, breeders and livestock transporters, will need to comply with this change.”
He said farm equipment suppliers should also be aware of the new cruelty offence and inform any customers wanting to purchase electric prodders.
”Anyone working with horses must find alternate ways to safely move stock under their care,” the Minister said.
The Department said that in addition to electric prodders, there were other instances of ill-treatment that cannot be used on horses.
It said these included any painful procedures such as punching, kicking, whipping, tail-twisting etc.; using sticks, lengths of metal pipe, fencing wire or heavy leather belts; or excessive shouting or making loud noises.
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty was 2,000 penalty units ($266,900) or three years’ imprisonment.
The Department said the oversight and regulatory arrangements for abattoirs and knackeries and the transport of horses to those facilities would be strengthened.
The new legislation will also promote good welfare outcomes for retired racing horses and help protect jobs in the Queensland racing industry.
An investigation into the specific animal welfare issues alleged in the ABC TV’s 7.30 program was continuing.
