It is the fourth time the woman has allegedly breached the court order preventing her from owning animals, with RSPCA Victoria saying it had taken more than 400 animals from her care over the last 10 years.
Some of the horses and cats seized today showed signs of illness and were found in poor living conditions, RSPCA Victoria said.
They were taken to an RSPCA Victoria shelter for assessment and vet care.
RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michelle Green called the scale of animal cruelty “astounding”.
“This person has been banned from owning or being in charge of more than five cats and five horses, and yet they not only continue to keep them and acquire additional animals but also mistreat and neglect them,” Green 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.”
The organisation is pleading for stronger penalties for animal cruelty.
“It’s simple: animal cruelty is a crime in Victoria, but we need stronger laws and tougher penalties for offenders,” RSPCA Victoria chief executive Dr Liz Walker said.
“Despite being found guilty of animal cruelty offences and repeatedly breaching court orders, this person continues to offend; enough is enough.”
The RSPCA said that in July 2023, the then-66-year-old woman was found guilty of 54 charges of animal cruelty, including failure to provide the animals with proper and sufficient food and drink, confining them in a way that would likely cause pain and suffering and failing to provide veterinary care.
She was permanently banned from owning or being in charge of horses and ponies.
That term was reduced to a five-year ban on owning or being in charge of more than five horses after she appealed the decision.
The woman has also been disqualified for life from owning or being in charge of more than five cats.
She has previously been found guilty of similar charges in both Victoria and NSW, RSPCA Victoria said.
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