Media release – 8 December 2022
Australian Brumby Alliance Inc (ABA) commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court of
Victoria against Parks Victoria (PV) on 2 September 2022, alleging that Parks Victoria’s
inhumane shooting of Brumbies, also known as Wild Horses, shooting is unlawful and does
not comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Miss Pickering of the ABA said “This tragic slaughter was totally uncalled for. There were,
and still are, viable alternatives like rehoming, in place, but Parks Victoria and Government
still prioritise kill policies” and “tragically ignore PV’s earlier rehoming policy which provided
opportunity for Brumbies to have a second chance at life as a valued domestic horse.”
Visit the ABA website www.australianbrumbyalliance.org.au to see how Brumby Rehoming
is run by dedicated volunteer with the skills to gentle and prepare previously wild horses for
a new life using the skills Brumbies develop to survive in the wild to offer horse riders.
The Supreme Court heard our case via a link as 2 people involved tested Covid-Positive over
the 2 court hearing days held against Parks Victoria held on 1st and 2nd December 2022.
The Judge is expected to hand down his decision on the ABA-v-PV case over the next few
months. However, Miss Pickering cautioned that “While our Barristers effectively stated our
case while Parks Victoria’s witness experienced some significant memory lapses, that is NO
guarantee of a positive result for Brumbies. What matters now is how the Judge weighs up
the facts provided, during the case, in relation to technical legal parameters.
“If ABA is successful in the case, Parks Victoria will have to stop the inhumane shooting of
Brumbies and manage the iconic Brumby population by further developing its community
partnerships to apply control methods such as rehoming and fertility control, which are
proven effective overseas and equally suitable for Victoria’s Brumbies” said Ms Pickering.
For comment: Jill Pickering 0400 558 772
For legal background: Vanessa Bleyer 0412 586 848
