Hon Ken Baston asks about mass horse deaths at Billiluna Station reported by ABC Kimberley. The Minister confirms the location and that Department staff inspected the site, noting the horses are feral and a cull is planned due to dry conditions.

AnsweredQoN 1526Legislative Council
Asked
3 December 2019
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

ANIMAL WELFARE —
HORSE DEATHS — BILLILUNA STATION
1526. Hon KEN BASTON to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the ABC Kimberley
Facebook article, ''Mass Horse Deaths in East Kimberley'',
published today.
(1) Is the incident described in the
article located on a pastoral lease?
(2) If yes to (1), which pastoral
lease?
(3) Have any
Department of Agriculture and Food staff inspected this site since the incident
was reported?
(4) If yes to (3), when?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Billiluna station.
(3) Yes.
(4) Now. A number
of horses have been euthanased to date and a larger cull is planned for Friday.
It is important to note that these are feral animals that are not in the
ownership or control of the pastoralists. Unseasonally dry conditions across
the pastoral lease region can impact on the welfare of feral animals. Declared
pests such as feral horses, camels and donkeys move across large distances and
across pastoral properties. One would anticipate that thousands of feral
camels, donkeys and horses have died because of the prevailing dry conditions.

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