Tamworth man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly strangling horse in Kosciuszko National Park

Police allege the 61-year-old abused the tame brumby colt in the Kosciuszko National Park, placing a lariat, or lasso rope, around its neck.

It’s alleged the man repeatedly pulled the horse by the lariat, causing it to become visibly distressed and struggle to breathe.

A number of witnesses attempted to intervene in the November 17 incident, police claim; however, the man allegedly refused to let go and the horse lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

Police said the horse was lame after the incident and is believed to have suffered injuries.

Another camper filmed the incident and reported it to police, before rural crime investigators took over the case. 

Officers have been trying to identify the man and, following investigations, charged a 61-year-old Tamworth man with commit an act of cruelty and capture or snare animal in National Park. 

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He is due to front court in Cooma on February 6.

NSW Police state rural crime co-ordinator, Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside, said police did not tolerate animal cruelty and all incidents would be thoroughly investigated.

“We strongly encourage members of the public to report any incident of animal cruelty so those involved can be identified and charged,” he said.

“In this incident, a member of the public filmed the alleged cruelty and we were able to identify the man involved.

“The footage clearly shows the animal suffered injuries and unfortunately it was not located after the incident so we are not aware of its fate.”