gp0727 001 763072764 (page 1) · 7/27/2012  · our own bloodlines ... gone,” mr webb said. he...

Goulburn PostPh: 4827 3500 Classifieds: 02 4827 3555 Friday July 27, 2012 $1.60 including GST

g o u l b u r n p o s t . c o m . a u

Horse shooting horror‘Callous bastards’ leave Marulan family devastated By GERARD WALSH

THEY heard the shotsshortly before eight onMonday night.

But Marulan pensioners Jackand Julie Webb didn’t discoverthe true extent of the horror untilthe following morning.

They found four of theirbeloved standardbred horsesslain in a paddock on their nor-mally peaceful Winfarthing Roadfarm.

Three of them had died of gun-shot wounds.

Another was found dead in afence nearby after taking frightfrom the gunfire.

The couple’s son Jim said thewhole family was devastated andhas vowed to track down the“callous bastards” responsible.

Goulburn police are investigat-ing.

It’s believed those responsiblecould have been in two vehicleswhich were seen travelling downWinfarthing Road at about thetime the shots were heard.

“They have reduced two proud80-year-old plus pensioners toquivering wrecks,” Mr Webbsaid.

“Our three young daughtersbelieved that the family farmwas part of their magical king-dom, but is now a place of deathand horror filled nightmares.

“There was no easy way ofbreaking the news that the hors-es that their grandparentsnamed after them had been slain- for what – someone’s sickkicks.

“I’m struggling to hold my fam-ily together, the grief we are liv-ing through is only one tear fromhell.”

The horses might have beenfamily pets, much loved by MrWebb’s parents and children, butthey were also valuable breedingand racing stock.

“Thirty years of establishing

our own bloodlines ... gone,” MrWebb said.

He had this message for the cul-prits: “You callous bastards haveno idea of the cruelty you haveinflicted not only on thesedefenceless horses but to thepeople that give their all.”

“We nurture, protect and carefor these purpose-bred harnessracing breed. In your senselessact you have wiped out over 30years of our labour of love.

“If you have any soul - repentand turn yourself in. The author-ities are on your trail as we areleft to bury our family pets,” MrWebb said.

Mr Webb said his parentsheard the shots while watchingthe Monday night football.

They thought it might havebeen hunters on a nearby prop-erty shooting kangaroos, whichare in large numbers around thedistrict.

“These horses were targeted.This was no accident,” Mr Webbsaid.

“They could not have possiblyconfused those horses with kan-garoos.”

Police yesterday said theywere canvassing the Marulanarea for clues and witnesses.

They confirmed that onTuesday afternoon two morehorses were found injured on theWebbs’ property.

Mr Webb said police found atorch and spent cartridges onthe property.

“They had gained access to theproperty to carry out this awfulact,” he said.

“To think mum and dad werehome, not too far away, is fright-ening.”

Anyone with any information isurged to contact Goulburn Policeor Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000.

HAPPIER TIMES: Jim Webb and his daughters with one of their charges ‘Thommo’, which raced as Jetsalong in his harness racing days. Thommo was one of fourhorses which died after a shooting rampage in Marulan on Monday night.

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