Losing a loved one is something one can never truly heal from, and to lose a loved one by a reprehensible act – it is understandable to completely fall victim to numbness, fury, dumbfoundment.
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On May 23, beloved family Thoroughbred horse, Banjo was shot and killed by an unknown person using a high-powered rifle, on the family’s property in Binya.
I saw him lying on a fence.
- Kaylene Foy-Murphy
Hannah Rossiter and Kaylene Foy-Murphy, a daughter and mother grief-stricken by the sudden loss of their Banjo came to The Area News not to express a hate-fuelled message to the person responsible, rather to share their story about Banjo’s life.
“For over 18 years, Banjo lived at my family property out at Binya,” Mrs Rossiter said.
“I spent a lot of my time with Banjo, and from the moment I got him, he has always been a huge part of my life and helped me through many tough times.
“I even dragged him along to boarding school with me in my high school years.”
Mrs Rossiter and Ms Foy-Murphy fondly recalled Banjo and his many habits which made him such a lovable creature.
“No one else could ride him but me,” Mrs Rossiter said.
“He’d just sort of walk in circles as you’re trying to put your foot in the stirrup to get on him,” Ms Foy-Murphy laughed.
“But when Hannah would try to get on him, he’d virtually lay down for her to climb up.”
I love you big fella, keep those strides proud and that tail high.
- Hannah Rossiter
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And, in his old age he got a bit mischievous.
“I bought Gumnuts to mix with molasses for him, and he somehow got his head stuck in the bag and he ate the whole bag of Gumnuts.
“He would come in the house if he could.”
Banjo, of course, was there for Mrs Rossiter during the tough times.
“He would place his head on Hannah’s shoulder,” Ms Foy-Murphy said.
“He was a big part of our life”
When Ms Foy-Murphy came home to find Banjo lying on a fence, she was devastated and at a loss for words.
“He had been shot by a high-powered rifle,” she said.
“This is a beautiful old horse who never knew anything but unconditional love, and to have his life ended in such a brutal way is so unbelievable and hard to comprehend,” Mrs Rossiter said.
“He would never hurt anyone – he never bit or kicked.
“He was very placid.
“I just want them [the person responsible] to feel remorse, to see and realise and have a bit of feeling as to what they’ve done.”
Mrs Rossiter and Ms Foy-Murphy ask that anyone with any information that can lead to the identification of the person or persons responsible, to please contact the police.
The stock squad have also been notified.
Both Mrs Rossiter and Ms Foy-Murphy hope that their message will help others to be aware of strangers on their property.
And, to the person responsible, Mrs Rossiter and Ms Foy-Murphy have only pity.
