Collie couple Rhys Cochrane and April Gulbertie cop fine, horse ban over shocking animal cruelty

WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT A Collie couple have been banned from owning horses for life and ordered to pay $80,000 after they were found guilty of shocking animal cruelty offences which left one horse with a gaping wound so severe his spine was exposed. Rhys Cochrane, 29, and April Gulbertie, 28, were fined $30,000 by Collie Magistrate’s Court and ordered to pay $53,676 in costs. Mr Cochrane appeared in court last month while Ms Gulbertie appeared on Wednesday. An RSPCA inspector was called to the family home in September 2018 where she found a thoroughbred gelding named George and pony named Robin both emaciated with severe lice infestations. When the inspector removed George’s rug, she saw he had a large open wound which was seeping blood and pus and exposed his spine. His hooves were cracked and overgrown. The couple lived on their farm — where the abuse occurred — with their three young daughters. Ms Gulbertie appears like any other doting mother on her social media accounts. In October last year she posted about how important compassion was. “Compassion and kindness are an act of self love. Every time we lessen the suffering of another we alleviate the suffering in ourselves,” she posted. But the RSPCA said she showed none of this compassion towards her animals. Enforcement operations executive manager Hannah Dreaver said George’s spine may have been exposed for five weeks. “Both horses were so hungry it was difficult to get them to stop eating. It’s heartbreaking to think of them in that paddock week after week, hungry, thirsty, unbearably itchy and in pain,” she said. “There is absolutely no excuse for neglect - pet ownership means taking care of your animals or raising your hand and asking for help if you can’t manage on your own. There is never any excuse to let animals suffer to the extent that George and Robin had.” The inspector also found empty buckets and containers throughout their paddock — one containing very minimal rainwater with leaves and twigs. No other feed or hay was found. The horses were taken to Collie Veterinary Hospital where they underwent immediate treatment. They remain in the RSPCA’s care. The couple is banned from owning any animal for the next five years.