What’s Happening?
A south-east Queensland horse trader has been convicted of 35 offences involving breaches of Queensland’s animal welfare laws.
Samuel James Fuller pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced in Ipswich Magistrates Court. The offending primarily involved horses, while a small number of offences related to dogs.
According to Department of Primary Industries(DPI) the prosecution reinforced its commitment to protecting animal welfare in Queensland.
Why It Matters
The offences occurred over several months from November 2023 to March 2025. Fuller committed the later offences while on bail.
The most serious offence involved a horse with a significant untreated leg injury. Authorities humanely euthanised the horse because of its injury.
Magistrate Ganasan described the details of the charges as “quite distressing” and said there was a clear need for deterrence.
“It is your behaviour and your behaviour alone that needs to change.”
Local Impact
The court sentenced Fuller to six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years, for the offence that caused serious disability.
For the offences involving prolonged suffering, the court imposed three months’ imprisonment, also wholly suspended. Fuller also received two years’ probation for the remaining duty of care offences, with special conditions addressing his mental health and behaviour towards animals.
The court ordered all sentences to run concurrently and recorded convictions on every charge.
By The Numbers
- 21 horses were humanely euthanised because of their injuries or condition, including the horse involved in the most serious offence.
- $4,250 in legal professional costs must be paid by Fuller under the court order.
- 10 years is the period Fuller cannot possess, purchase or otherwise acquire any equine animal.
Zoom In
The charges included 26 counts of breach of duty of care, eight counts involving prolonged suffering and one involving serious disability.
Authorities also seized seven horses, while another 11 horses became subject to an animal welfare direction.
In addition to the equine prohibition, the court prohibited Fuller from possessing, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any canine animal for three years.
Zoom Out
DPI Deputy Director-General Biosecurity Dr Rachel Chay said the prosecution demonstrated the department’s approach to enforcing Queensland’s animal welfare laws.
“Queensland’s animal welfare laws exist to protect animals from neglect and unnecessary suffering, and DPI will continue to take action where those laws are breached,” Dr Chay said.
DPI, through Biosecurity Queensland, also works with animal owners and carers to educate them about their responsibilities under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
“In many cases, we achieve better and faster outcomes through education and compliance action and working directly with the owners,” Dr Chay said.
What To Look For Next?
DPI said it would continue using education and compliance measures while pursuing enforcement when animal welfare standards are not met.
“However, where standards are not met, we will not hesitate to pursue enforcement action, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen here with this successful prosecution,” Dr Chay said.
Under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, an individual convicted of breaching their duty of care can face a maximum penalty of $345,400 or three years’ imprisonment. Serious animal cruelty offences under the Criminal Code can carry up to seven years’ imprisonment.