New animal welfare Bill introduced to help save animals in shelters and rescue organisations

A new animal welfare Bill has been introduced to minimise killings and hold shelters accountable - it comes after rescue centre directors were fined for neglecting several animals.

A new animal welfare Bill has been introduced to help save animals from similar neglect seen in photos released of a rescue group’s mistreatment.

Mia Aukland spearheaded the Bill in 2012 to minimise killing, improve standards and mandate transparency for shelters, rescue and the greyhound racing industry.

The Statutes Amendment (Animal Welfare Reforms) Bill, otherwise known as Lucy’s Law was introduced into SA Parliament on November 30 by Tammy Franks Greens MLC.

Lucy’s Law will help save healthy and treatable animals in shelters, increase prosecution powers for cases of animal neglect and create a Code of Practice for animal shelters and rescue organisations.

It comes after directors of the South Australian Humane Animal Rescue Association (SAHARA) Carole Louise Morris, 59, and Shane Anthony Jones, 52, were fined and convicted for animal ill treatment earlier this month.

Morris and Jones were responsible for caring for and feeding the 450 cats and dogs, as well as 130 horses, in addition to pigs, sheep and goats they had at their Black Springs and Morgan properties.

SAHARA directors Carole Morris and Shane Jones fined and convicted for animal cruelty charges

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A male pug-mix dog named Sim was found morbidly obese, with overgrown toenails, bilateral dry eyes, bilateral ear infections and dental disease.

Sim was found morbidly obese, with a serious ear infection. Photos: Courts SA

One of the horses had an eye injury. Photos: Courts SA

Overgrown hooves on a pony. Photos: Courts SA

During the duo’s sentencing, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard a palomino pony mare named Ashley had a rear hoof overgrown by 20cm, while a bay mare named Eileen was suffering from colic and stomatitis.

A Maltese-cross named Mike – which is the only animal Jones is charged with neglecting – had a “severely matted” coat, which was covered with urine and faeces.

Mike was found with a severely matted coat. Photos: Courts SA

The court heard Mike, who had “crippling anxiety”, ended up being euthanised.

Jones, of Ramco, pleaded guilty to one count of ill treatment of an animal, while Morris, of Wingfield, pleaded guilty to five counts.

Magistrate Edward Stratton-Smith said he accepted the duo weren’t intentionally cruel to the animals but failed in their responsibility to provide adequate care for them.

He fined Jones $1250 and Morris $5400 and convicted them both.

Shane Jones and Carole Morris. Photo: Supplied

In South Australia, data reflects that shelters killed 20 animals a day.

Ms Aukland said Lucy’s Law will make South Australia the safest place for homeless pets and will provide a stable future for the sheltering industry regardless of who is the director of the organisation.

Ms Aukland, who founded The PAW Project in 2010, said the Bill was inspired by the work of Texas appellate attorney Ryan Clinton after hearing American shelters were reaching a save rate of 90 per cent or above.

“Even though I cannot save the lost souls at SAHARA that have been tortured, my Bill prevents this from happening in the future,” she said.

“Every person that works at an animal shelter deserves to go to work and not be traumatised by an organisation that fails animals in their care.”