Shane Jones, Carole Morris in Riverland court over 44 animal abuse charges

Riverland couple Shane Jones and Carol Morris have fronted Berri Magistrates Court charged with 44 offences under SA’s Animal Welfare Act.

Shane Jones with horse he said was named “Harry” at Morgan property. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Riverland couple Shane Jones and Carole Morris have fronted Berri Magistrates Court charged with 44 alleged offences under SA’s Animal Welfare Act.

The pair were granted bail and are yet to enter pleas.

They have been charged with 41 counts of ill-treatment of an animal and three counts of failing to comply with an animal welfare notice.

The charges relate to the alleged treatment of a range of animals, including one goat, one camel, two dogs, nine cats, 24 horses, and poultry. The alleged offences stem from an inspection conducted by RSPCA inspectors on 15 October 2024.

The RSPCA alleges that during this inspection it found:

A pig unable to use its rear legs, later found to have a severed spinal cord. It was euthanised on humane grounds;

A dog with such severe dental disease that it could not eat;

A horse suffering from a chronic wound infested with maggots.

Carole Morris and Shane Jones. Picture: Courts SA

Ms Morris and Mr Jones are the founders of the South Australian Humane Animal Rescue Association (SAHARA) charity.

SAHARA lost its charity status in October last year, but The Advertiser has since learned that it regained charity status with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission in May.

Puppies at the Morgan property. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The latest financial report it filed with the national charity regulator was in April 2024, covering the 2022–23 financial year, showing it had received $515,971 in donations/bequests and $145,552 in “revenue from investments”.

It has not reported its financial status since, with its current financial statements overdue by close to six months.

The ACNC was asked why SAHARA had its charity status restored, and it said:

“By law the ACNC cannot speak publicly about the circumstances of any charity, apart from referring to information published on the Charity Register.”

Additionally, Mark Aldridge has started a GoFundMe for the pair titled “Please donate to save these precious animals,” which has raised $4650 since March.

Mr Aldridge contends that the animals seized in February were “perfectly healthy” and unlawfully taken.

The pair will return to Berri Magistrates Court on August 13.

Under South Australia’s Animal Welfare Act, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty, in the event of a guilty finding, is $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment.

For aggravated cruelty, the maximum penalty rises to $50,000 or four years’ imprisonment if guilt is established.

Originally published as Shane Jones, Carole Morris in Riverland court over 44 animal abuse charges