‘Beyond belief’: Dozens of horses, cats seized from ‘serial’ animal cruelty offender’s property by RSPCA

A woman branded a “serial” animal cruelty offender – who has had over 400 animals removed from her care over the past decade – has landed in hot water again after animal welfare officers seized dozens of horses and cats found in poor living conditions. Victorian RSPCA officers conducted a compliance check at the woman’s property in Ararat, in the state’s Central Highlands region, on Wednesday. A total of 13 horses and 24 cats at the property were allegedly found in “poor living conditions” and some showed signs of illnesses, the RSPCA said in a statement. The animals were taken to an RSPCA shelter for assessment and veterinary care. The owner was previously disqualified for life from owning or being in charge of more than five cats, in addition to a five-year order imposed by the County Court of Victoria in 2024 barring her from being in charge for more than five horses. The RSPCA said Wednesday’s seizure was the fourth time the woman had allegedly breached the court order. “RSPCA Victoria has now removed over 400 animals from this repeat animal cruelty offender over the last decade,” the organisation said in their statement. RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michelle Green said the alleged repeated flouting of the law and the continued refusal to provide appropriate care for the animals was “beyond belief”. “The sheer scale of animal cruelty at this property over many years is astounding,” she said. “As an organisation enforcing animal cruelty laws, we have done everything we can stop the offending and animal cruelty by this person, but they ignore expert animal care advice, legislation, and multiple court orders. “None of the hundreds of animals over the last 10 years have deserved the treatment they’ve experienced. “Serial offending like this should not be allowed to continue and we will continue to apply the full force of the legislation to stop this repeat offender.” The organisation has called for stronger penalties for animal cruelty offences.