Fine for illegal horse movement

A Victorian woman will receive a fine of more than $300 for failing to finalise a permit and failing to provide a current vet check on a horse that was transported from Victoria to South Australia this week. Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Rob Rahaley, said the woman was aware of the permit requirements due to her involvement with an equine transport company.
"We are doing everything we can to keep SA free of horse flu and it is important that people understand that they will be fined if they don't follow the rules," Dr Rahaley said.
"It's very important that people applying for permits ensure that the documentation is completed prior to departure because PIRSA is monitoring horse movements and permit applications."
The illegal movement of horses and horse equipment can result in fines of up to $20,000. The woman will be fined $315 plus a $20 victim of crime levy.
Background
The woman applied for a permit to move the racehorse from Sedgwick in Victoria to Mt Gambier.
She was aware of the transport requirements implemented as a result of the horse flu outbreak interstate and asked the trainer of the horse to arrange the vet check prior to departure and to fax the certificate to PIRSA.
However, on the morning of 24 October the trainer faxed a certificate dated 16 October to PIRSA. (PIRSA requires a vet check within 48 hours prior to departure.)
The horse left the Victorian property on the morning of 24 October and arrived in South Australia later that day without a permit and was immediately quarantined pending a current vet check. Thankfully the veterinary inspection found the horse to be healthy and restrictions on the movement of the horse have been lifted.