Head of RSPCA will appear in a Sydney court on Monday over alleged animal cruelty

[Ramsayi]

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.

RSPCA head to face court over animal cruelty

 

[apprenticegnome]

What did he do? I'm not a fan of the RSPCA as they have taken their cause further than I believe they should have. Don't get me wrong, they do a lot of good work but they have some very twisted boundaries when it comes to acts of cruelty I.M.O.

 

[GSXR_Boy]

I saw that on the news and he is a vet in his local area and he "allegedly" broke the Wolf teeth of a horse that he was supposed to be removing them from. He claims he removed them, the owner said he didn't remove it all and now the horse has an infection that could kill it.

That was the news though so wether it is true or not.......

 

[Ramsayi]

What did he do? I'm not a fan of the RSPCA as they have taken their cause further than I believe they should have. Don't get me wrong, they do a lot of good work but they have some very twisted boundaries when it comes to acts of cruelty I.M.O.

No idea.just posted it because of the irony.

 

[glassless_mind]

Wolf teeth often fracture when they're removed. What the vet failed to do was warn the owner that this was possible, and x-ray the horse's jaw post-removal, to ensure that all the pieces had been removed. The horse then got an infection because some pieces were still there. Most owners don't want the post-removal x-rays, as they're expensive, so really the vet just failed to warn the owner that it could happen. This doesn't make him cruel, just forgetful. So long as he was happy to treat the infection when it occured, he hasn't been negligent.

 

[KaotikJezta]

I don't know what he did but I volunteered at the Yagoona RSPCA and what went on there would churn your stomach, I have found it hard to support the RSPCA in any way since .

 

[Jeannine]

The 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 Hodgkinson 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.