Haunting images show malnourished horse with rotting legs and protruding ribs as police charge three with animal cruelty

  • Police released photos of a horse that was allegedly neglected and left to starve
  • Three people have been charged following an Queensland Police investigation
  • Four-year-old retired racehorse remains at Pine Mountain property near Ipswich

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:28 EDT, 16 October 2018 | Updated: 00:30 EDT, 16 October 2018

Horrifying photos have emerged of a retired racehorse that was left to starve in a shocking case of animal cruelty.

The thoroughbred mare was found at a Pine Mountain property, in Queensland, on October 4. 

Three people have been charged with animal cruelty following an investigation by detectives from the Racing Crime Squad and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC). 

The thoroughbred (pictured) remains at the Pine Mountain property, where the owners have been ordered to comply with a number of directions to improve its condition

The thoroughbred (pictured) remains at the Pine Mountain property, where the owners have been ordered to comply with a number of directions to improve its condition

 The horse remains on the property but the owners will have to nurse it back to health or the authorities will take it away.

The 48-year-old man who owns the horse, and two women, 20 and 51, have been charged with animal cruelty and will appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court on November 6.  

The investigation was sparked by a tip-off from a concerned member of the public. 

A QRIC spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that the owners have been ordered to comply with a number of directions to improve the horse's condition.

'This is to give the owners an opportunity to fulfill the animal welfare directions ordered, which will be followed up on,' she said.

Police allege that during investigations into the welfare of the thoroughbred, the QIRC received information from a person falsely claiming to be the registered owner.

Police released disturbing photos of the retired racehorse (pictured) that was allegedly neglected and left to starve in a shocking case of animal cruelty

Police released disturbing photos of the retired racehorse (pictured) that was allegedly neglected and left to starve in a shocking case of animal cruelty

A female licensed stable hand, 33, has been charged with giving false or misleading information to an officer.

She will appear in the Sandgate Magistrates Court on October 25. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444.

Social media went into meltdown after Queensland Police posted photos of the malnourished horse on its Facebook page.

'I hope this lovely mare receives all the love and care it deserves and is receiving the best treatment. Shame on these people,' one woman commented.

Another added:  'Absolutely no excuse. Just heartbreaking for an animal to end up in this condition.'

Three people charged with animal cruelty will appear in Ipswich Local Court (pictured) next month

Three people charged with animal cruelty will appear in Ipswich Local Court (pictured) next month

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Images of malnourished horse with rotting legs and protruding ribs released in animal cruelty case

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