Gallop Stable fined S$9,000 for animal cruelty
The horse Sharpy was found at Gallop Stable’s Pasir Ris ranch unable to stand, with an extensive wound on its right hind leg, and ulcers in its eyes. Photo: AVA
SINGAPORE — Horse-riding provider Gallop Stable was fined S$9,000 on Friday (May 18) for animal cruelty after a retired racehorse, Sharpy, was found in a bad shape at its premises in Pasir Ris in May 2013.
A vet from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) had found the mare lying on the ground with an extensive wound on its right hind leg, and ulcers in its eyes.
Gallop Stable, which operates three ranches in Singapore and one in Malaysia, was found guilty of the offence last month, after an eight-day trial last year. The company is appealing against the sentence, as well as the conviction.
In delivering his sentence, District Judge Lim Keng Yeow said that he had considered, among other things, the duration of omission of care, as well as the degree of neglect suffered by Sharpy.
Sharpy was discovered by AVA vet Dr Wendy Toh when she visited the ranch unannounced on May 15, 2013.
The horse, which was lying on its side, had a swollen left thigh, was taking deep, quick breaths, and was unresponsive to human contact.
Dr Toh then advised the stable to seek immediate veterinary attention for Sharpy. The stable arranged for a vet to attend to Sharpy the next day.
However, things took a turn for the worse three days later when Dr Toh returned to the stable.
Sharpy had maggots in its wounds, and appeared to have “tears rolling down” from its eyes. When offered water and food, it drank non-stop for two minutes and ate the hay for 20 to 30 minutes.
In his mitigation plea, Gallop Stable’s lawyer Simon Tan asked for a fine not exceeding S$5,000.
He said that Sharpy had been given another lease of life, due to Gallop Stable’s efforts to rehabilitate its health.
Upon realising that its condition was not improving but in fact deteriorating, the stable had sought the help of an equine expert.
Mr Tan also pointed out that while Dr Toh and another vet engaged by the stable, Dr Phyllis Yew, had suggested euthanising the mare, Gallop Stable refused to do so.
“Our clients could very well have taken the easy and straightforward ... route of having Sharpy put down, in accordance with veterinarian advice.
“However ... our clients were insistent and adamant on saving Sharpy as they genuinely believed that with proper care and treatment, Sharpy could be saved,” said Mr Tan on Friday.
He added that Gallop Stable had also spent almost S$16,000 on Sharpy’s medical bills.
Today, the horse is walking and eating well, and fit enough to provide rides of a less demanding nature, the court heard.
Mr Tan argued that Sharpy’s incident should be viewed in isolation. “A swallow does not make a summer,” he said.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Gabriel Choong, who had asked for a S$10,000-fine, noted that Sharpy had suffered for five months before its condition improved.
Its leg is now permanently swollen, said the DPP, adding that Gallop Stable had shown a lack of remorse in the case.
