Demonstrators gathered for the eighth consecutive weekend outside a Mount Eliza property, continuing calls for intervention in what they allege is ongoing animal neglect involving horses under the care of local resident Maxine Fraser.
The protest group, made up of both first-time and long-term participants, displayed signs and chanted slogans urging authorities to step in.
“We’re here because Maxine has to be stopped,” one protester said. “She has to stop breeding. She has to stop — she’s a serial offender.”
One returning participant, involved since 2020, said they’ve seen conditions for the horses deteriorate over time.
“It’s worse now than when we started. Nothing has improved,” they said, vowing to return every weekend until action is taken.
The peaceful but passionate protest featured signs reading “Save the Horses” and “They’re Starving — Take Action Now”, with group members pledging to maintain pressure through public demonstrations.
Hastings animal welfare advocate Tracey Asquith has renewed her push to improve animal protection laws. She’s calling on the public to urgently sign two Victorian parliamentary e-petitions for the Animal Care and Protection Bill, aimed at replacing the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA).
“We need 10,000 signatures for each petition — one for the lower house, sponsored by Paul Mercurio MP, and one for the upper house, sponsored by Georgie Purcell MP,” Ms Asquith wrote online.
“Please take 1 minute and sign these important petitions to improve our legislation to protect animals.”
The petitions can be found on the Parliament of Victoria e-petitions portal, and supporters under 18 are also eligible to sign.
Campaigners say these efforts are essential to ensure long-term systemic reform, alongside their continued advocacy on the ground in Mount Eliza.
