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Posted: 2019-06-07 04:08:35

Updated June 07, 2019 14:55:15

Representatives from Tasmania's Office of Racing Integrity have visited an animal park in the state's south as they investigate the death of a race horse, amid allegations the carcass may have been fed to lions.

  • The allegations were raised by the Tasmanian Greens leader during budget estimates hearings on Thursday
  • The wildlife park Zoodoo has confirmed it was visited by TasRacing representatives, but says it can confirm the incident did not happen
  • The Office of Racing Integrity is investigating because the death was not reported as per national rules

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O'Connor asked the Office of Racing Integrity during budget estimates sessions on Thursday about the death of a horse at the Brighton Training Centre last Friday, and whether the horse's body was subsequently taken to Zoodoo, near Richmond north of Hobart, and fed to the big cats.

Office of Racing Integrity General Manager John King said information provided to him indicated the carcass had been buried, but said there was an ongoing investigation into the horse's death after it went unreported.

He said when a horse dies within 14 days of racing or trialling there was a requirement under national rules for a trainer to contact the Office of Racing Integrity within 24 hours of the death.

"Two of our investigators have been looking at that matter, yesterday and today," Mr King said on Thursday.

"We have spoken to the trainers and there was no inspection of the horse. The horse's carcass has been disposed of before Racing Integrity was notified of the death.

"In this instance, and like I said this is ongoing, but we were not notified. Our office didn't become aware of the incident until two days later."

Zoodoo director Donna Cuttriss-Smith confirmed representatives from the Office of Racing Integrity visited the zoo on Friday morning, but was positive that the horse discussed in Parliament was not fed to her lions, after making a series of frantic phone calls on Thursday evening.

"This has nothing to do with Zoodoo," she said.

"I can confirm that Zoodoo has not received the racehorse as a meat supply for our carnivores. The allegations being made are false."

Ms Cuttriss-Smith said the lions were occasionally fed horse meat, but primarily received beef, and had been eating only frozen meat lately.

Ms O'Connor said on Friday that there were serious questions to be answered over the death, including whether a vet had been present or called following the incident.

"We need to be sure what happened to that horse. Why did it die? Where was it taken? I believe there needs to be a thorough, forensic examination by the Office of Racing Integrity," Ms O'Connor said.

"We need to understand, is this standard operating procedure for some sectors within the racing industry? This is a serious issue, it's an animal welfare concern."

The Office of Racing Integrity has been contacted for comment.

Topics: animal-welfare, law-crime-and-justice, horse-racing, hobart-7000, tas, launceston-7250, richmond-7025

First posted June 07, 2019 14:08:35

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