A 63-year-old man has been charged over what could be one of Victoria’s biggest cases of animal cruelty.
Bruce Akers, a former Australian Olympian and horse trainer, has been charged with 92 offences after 23 horses were found dead on his Bulla property.
He is due to face Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon.
It is understood Mr Akers could face up to two years in jail, a fine of up to $74,620 and be banned from owning any animal for at least 10 years, if he is found guilty of causing death by neglect.
Mr Akers is understood to have represented Australia as a wrestler at the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games, and had been registered as a horse trainer, who last raced horses in 2011.
Neighbours found nearly two dozen dead horses on Sunday after looking for the source of a foul smell drifting from Batey Court in Bulla.
TWO OF THE SURVIVING HORSES ON THE PROPERTY. PICTURE: EDDIE JIM
A total of 22 horses were found dead and another 22 were suffering from malnutrition.
One horse had to be put down.
Initially, police were unable to find the owner of the property, but on Monday morning investigators revealed they had arrested a 63-year-old man.
Police later confirmed he was assisting them with their inquiries, but was in hospital.
In the meantime, police are trying to find carers for the malnourished horses.
It is understood the horse owner could face up to two years in jail, a fine of up to $74,620 and be banned from owning any animal for at least 10 years, if he is found guilty of causing death by neglect.
Police and Country Fire Authority crews were performing the grim task of sorting through the animal carcasses on Sunday, with the help of State Emergency Service volunteers.
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Julie Brown was not the neighbour responsible for raising the alarm, but told News Corp she had seen up to 50 horses locked in a stuffy stable on the property.
“It’s blown us away; it’s just horrific,” she said.
Ms Brown said she had phoned the council on Friday after seeing four emaciated horses.
“The ones down the bottom (of the property) were exceptionally skinny,” she said.
