100 animals seized by RSPCA from Morgan property owned by Shane Jones, Carole Morris during raids

A Riverland property has again been raided with numerous animals seized and one euthanised as part of a major ongoing joint investigation.

Shane Jones’ property has again been raided by the RSPCA. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The RSPCA has seized 100 animals and euthanised one from a Riverland property during major raids as part of an large-scale ongoing investigation.

The joint raids involving the RSPCA, police and government officials on the 500-acre Morgan property, which is run by Shane Jones and his partner Carole Morris, resulted in the seizure of 74 chickens, 17 horses, eight cattle and one goat.

The couple has not been charged with any offences.

RSPCA seizing horses from the Morgan property. Picture: Supplied

One steer was euthanised by the RSPCA after they arrived at the property.

The raids, which took place on Monday and Tuesday last week, are part of what The Advertiser can reveal is a major ongoing investigation by the RSPCA.

The RSPCA brought in its staff five inspectors as well as two independent vets to the property, 160km north west of Adelaide this week.

The Advertiser understands the organisation also needed to call in additional staff from the Department for Environment and Water to the property because of the scale of the raid.

Mark Aldridge with Jasper the cow at a property owned by Carole Morris and Shane Jones when The Advertiser visited in December. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

SA Police were also in attendance and multiple sources say they seized Mr Jones and Ms Morris’ phones.

“Given the scale and duration of this particular situation, we are working with the Department of Environment and Water and Primary Industries,” RSPCA chief executive Marcus Gehrig told The Advertiser.

“While we are unable to disclose further information, I would like to commend our inspectors for the commitment and resilience shown today and through this investigation.”

Photos from Monday’s raid at the Morgan property. Image: Supplied.

Mr Jones and Ms Morris co-founded the South Australian Humane Animal Rescue Association (SAHARA) in 2019 but SAHARA lost its charity status in October last year.

It comes after The Advertiser visited the property, 160km from Adelaide, in December finding many of the horses in bare paddocks with protruding ribs.

Property spokesman Mark Aldridge told The Advertiser on Thursday the animals seized by the RSPCA were in “beautiful condition” and only became afraid when the RSPCA arrived.

Mr Aldridge said when the RSPCA shot a steer on Monday other cows who witnessed it started to shed tears.

Animals being seized from the Morgan property. Picture: Supplied

The seizure was part of an ongoing major investigation. Picture: Supplied

In 2022, Mr Jones and Ms Morris pleaded guilty to six counts of ill treatment of an animal between them.

Ms Morris pleaded guilty to five counts and Mr Jones pleaded guilty to one.

Mr Jones was fined $1250 and Ms Morris $5400 and they were banned from sitting on the SAHARA board and being involved in decision making.

In October 2023, the RSPCA seized six horses and two had to be euthanised.

However, Mr Aldridge said he did not believe the six horses needed to be seized or euthanised.

Department for Environment and Water referred to the Advertiser to the RSPCA for comment.

SAPOL declined to comment.