Owner of Storybook Farm Sacred Animal Rescue to appear in court following 2019 RSPCA raid

The owner of a sanctuary for disabled animals who had 37 animals seized following raid by the RSPCA is set to face court on more than 40 charges including cruelty and failure to provide appropriate living conditions. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

The owner of a disabled animal sanctuary raided by the RSPCA in 2019 is scheduled to appear in Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on Friday on more than 40 charges.

Lisa-Jayne “LJ” Cameron and another unnamed person were originally charged with 84 offences after RSPCA Queensland inspectors seized 37 animals from Ms Cameron’s Storybook Farm Sacred Animal Rescue property in Whiteside, near Petrie, on March 20, 2019.

Photos and videos of some of the animals seized in the raid, including one of a dalmatian named Barry who later had to be euthanised, outraged animal lovers around the nation.

A photo of an unnamed dachshund and Barry the dalmatian posted by Storybook Farm-Sacred Animal Garden on Tuesday March 19th, 2019. Picture: Facebook

Images released by the RSPCA showed injured dogs, including Barry and a Staffordshire bull terrier with exposed flesh on an amputated hind leg.

The staffy later had his leg surgically amputated at the RSPCA vet at Wacol.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said the number of charges against Ms Cameron had since been reduced to 41 and included three counts of cruelty, one charge of failing to comply with an animal welfare direction and 37 counts of breach of duty of care, including failure to provide appropriate food, water, treatment and living conditions for the animals in their care.

Ms Cameron has always denied claims she mistreated animals and, in 2019 told the Courier Mail said had been made to look like a “supervillain” following the raid of her rental home.

The condition Barry the dalmatian's was found in by the RSPCA days after the above photo was published on social media. Picture: RSPCA Queensland

Photos of injuries to Barry the paralysed dalmatian's legs. He was among 37 animals seized from the Storybook Farm-Sacred Animal Farm by the RSPCA on March 20, 2019. Barry was euthanised by RSPCA vets. Picture: RSPCA Queensland

The now 54-year-old started Storybook Farm-Sacred Animal Garden in 2012, with the farm becoming well-known as an option for those struggling to care for their pets who may have had an accident or become disabled due to a predisposed genetic defect, such as with intervertebral disc generation (IVDD) in dachshunds.

During the 2019 raid, RSPCA investigators seized dachshunds, French bulldogs, Staffordshire bull terriers, a whippet, two parrots, a donkey and a cat from what they alleged were “squalid” conditions, including faeces and urine over the floor.

Ms Cameron denied the conditions were squalid.

Most were disabled dogs who had either been surrendered to Ms Cameron for special care or who were there temporarily for rehabilitation.

The condition of one of the horses seized from a property associated with owner of the Storybook Farm-Sacred Animal Garden in March, 2019. Picture: RSPCA Queensland.

Following the raid, RSPCA Chief Inspector Daniel Young said all of the dogs needed medical treatment, including pain relief, and multiple baths.

He said some animals could not use their back legs and had pressure sores or other wounds from dragging their limbs around through urine and faeces.

Investigators had seized a donkey and three emaciated horses at a nearby property also associated with Ms Cameron on March 8, 2019, which led to the raid of the farm.

One horse was euthanised by a veterinarian.

Previously based in Canungra, the Storybook Farm rescue moved to Brisbane’s north in 2018, following online calls for funds to help secure a new property.

In 2019, an Office of Fair Trading spokeswoman said Storybook Farm Sacred Animal Garden Rescue was not, and had never been, incorporated as an association or registered as a charity.

Ms Cameron denied the charity was not registered.

Lisa-Jayne Cameron with Cody the dachshund in 2018, when she was trying to find a new property for the disabled animals in her care. Ms Cameron is scheduled to appear in court this Friday. Picture: Richard Gosling

The single mum of two started Storybook Farm because her family were unable to find a support service for their family dachshund, Mr Waddles, after he became paralysed.

A since removed fundraiser online in 2019, stated the farm was in dire need of financial assistance.

It referred to the possibly of the group having to be closed and mentioned Rabbit the brain-damaged whippet, Hugo the three-legged dog, Matthew the blind staffy and wheelchair-bound dachshunds, Cody and Daisy, as among those who needed help.

Ms Cameron is scheduled to appear in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court at 374 Gympie Rd, Strathpine, at 9am on Friday.

This staffy appeared to have a crudely amputated leg. Picture: RSPCA Queensland