“I would ask Sir, can I have my dog back,” pleaded a man who has been charged over the death of 22 horses.
Bruce Akers, 63, a former wrestler who represented Australia at the Olympics, appeared at the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Monday morning charged with 92 animal cruelty offences.
Nearly two dozen horses were found dead on Sunday, April 3 at a property on Batey Court in Bulla, 35 kilometres north of Melbourne.
The property is owned by Mr Akers’ daughter, Christy Akers.
Mr Akers bail conditions mean he’s not allowed contact with animals.
His application to have the conditions varied so his dog could be returned to him was denied, with Magistrate Patrick Southey saying he would need to file a formal application.
Mr Akers’ legal representative applied for an adjournment of six to eight weeks, while forensics staff completed their autopsy report on the dead horses.
Mr Southey granted an adjournment until June 20.
Bail was extended for Mr Akers until the same date.
Mr Akers declined to answer questions as he left court.
Neighbours initially raised the alarm after spotting a horse upturned, its legs waving in the air.
As well as the dead animals, police and RSPCA inspectors found 20 horses alive but extremely emaciated and close to death.
At an earlier hearing, the court had heard that there was evidence some of the bodies of the horses had been piled up.
Mr Akers was granted bail on April 4, unopposed, after his defence counsel told the court he suffered from several physical and mental conditions.
At that hearing, defence counsel Emily Buchanan said the horses did not belong to Mr Akers, who had been training and breeding horses since 1986.
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.
By Liam Mannix, The Age
