Electric prodders banned on Qld horses
From 1 August 2020, use of electric prodders on horses will be an act of cruelty under changes to the Queensland animal welfare laws to protect horses from unnecessary pain.
The move comes after the Queensland Government conducted an independent inquiry into the management of retired racehorses, including the regulatory and oversight arrangements for abattoirs and knackeries and the transport of horses to those facilities. Making the use of electric prodders an act of cruelty was one of the recommendations made by the inquiry.
The inquiry followed the ABC’s October 2019 7.30 story about the ‘wastage’ of retired racehorses, and raised issues about the treatment of horses at a Queensland abattoir.
The inquiry has now released its final report.
According to the final report, the following will also be banned –
• painful procedures, including punching, kicking, tail twisting, use of nose twitches, pressure on eyes, ears or external genitalia
• goads or other aids which cause pain and suffering, including large sticks, sticks with sharp ends, lengths of metal piping, fencing wire or heavy leather belts
• excessive shouting or making loud noises (e.g. through the cracking of whips).
The maximum penalty for animal cruelty in Queensland is $266,900 or three years imprisonment.
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