Order to proceed with the Poropony death case

A Tasmanian magistrate has ordered a court hearing into the deaths of 16 polo ponies to proceed.

The horse was found dead in its trailer while en route to Melbourne from the island states on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service in January 2018.

Ferry operator TT-Line has pleaded not guilty to multiple animal welfare-related charges.

The matter was listed to begin a hearing in Bernie Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, but legal challenges and arguments have delayed the start.

On Tuesday, TT-Line’s attorneys indicated their intention to seek Supreme Court review in connection with a ruling by Justice of the Peace Leanne Topfer regarding details of the allegations.

But Mr. Topfer turned down a lawyer’s request to stay the hearing.

“We are pleased that Crown has identified the alleged crimes and provided TT-Line with the content and details of the charges so that TT-Line can prepare its defense,” she said.

“Continuing this will not disadvantage the defendant.”

TT-Line attorney Robert Taylor claimed his legal team had not been provided with details of the allegations and said a stay of proceedings was essential in light of the Supreme Court’s application.

Topfer said there have been 16 instructional hearings on the issue since July 2020, and the issue may have been raised “several years ago.”

Prosecutor Simon Nicholson indicated that evidence was ready to be brought and there was one witness waiting.

The hearings, which resume on Wednesday, will run for three weeks and will hear from several veterinary experts.

TT-Line has previously pleaded not guilty to using administrative methods that were reasonably likely to cause unreasonable and undue pain and suffering.

He also pleaded not guilty to 28 counts of failure to stall the horses individually.