The RSPCA has called the actions of a Lower Hunter woman who refused vet treatment for her horse, which had a gaping wound and eventually had to be euthanised, "callous".
The 42-year-old was given an 18-month Community Corrections Order and fined $2000 in Maitland Local Court on Thursday.
The paint horse mare was found in a paddock on February 10 last year after a torrential storm - she had a wound on her chest measuring 50cm long and almost 40cm deep.
The owner of the paddock where the horse was agisted immediately called the vet, who assessed the horse's condition and later provided treatment options to the owner - who arrived later in the evening.
But the owner refused all options, including an offer by the paddock owner to pay the estimated $6000 for vet treatment - instead loading the horse into a float and taking it to another property.
An RSPCA inspector went to the property and saw the horse the next day, finding that the animal had gone 20 hours without vet treatment.
Another vet was called urgently to the scene and after an examination the horse was euthanised.
"It is appalling that someone could choose to remove an animal from the care of a qualified vet," RSPCA NSW chief inspector Scott Meyers said.
"This horse very clearly needed emergency vet treatment and was in a position to receive that treatment, but by the owner's callous decision, she was forced to endure hours of suffering."
