Storybook Farm Animal Rescue’s Lisa-Jayne Cameron sentenced

The owner of a sanctuary for disabled animals has pleaded guilty to more than 40 charges including cruelty and failure to provide appropriate living conditions. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

The owner of a sanctuary for disabled animals has been slapped with a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to what a court heard were “absolutely putrid living conditions”.

The treatment of animals at Storybook Farm Sacred Animal Rescue were likened to “how mentally ill people were treated in Victorian asylums”, Pine Rivers Magistrates Court heard.

Lisa-Jayne Cameron and her daughter Alexandria appeared before the court on Friday on more than 40 charges including cruelty and failure to provide appropriate living conditions.

Lisa-Jayne Cameron, owner of Storybook Farm, fronts court. Photo: Annette Dew

Cameron and her daughter were originally charged with 84 offences after RSPCA Queensland inspectors seized 37 animals from Ms Cameron’s property at Whiteside, near Petrie, on March 20, 2019.

Alexandria Cameron had her 84 charges including cruelty and fail to provide appropriate treatment dismissed.

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, which included faeces and urine all over the floor.

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

RSPCA prosecutor K.W Gover told the court that the offending was “one of the worst examples of breaches of duty of care and neglect of animals”, with the conditions described as absolutely appalling.

Cameron shook her head several times as the court heard statements from the prosecution.

“Some of the horses had significant worm infestation, their hoofs were in poor condition, … one had a patch of blistered skin the size of a dinner plate,” Ms Gover told the court.

“(Animals) were starving and they didn’t have sufficient feed.

“They also had significant dental issues, cracked teeth, and missing teeth.”

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.

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

The now 54-year-old started Storybook Farm-Sacred Animal Garden in 2012.

It became 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.

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

Lisa-Jayne Cameron of Storybook Farm. Picture: Richard Gosling

The court heard the living conditions for the dogs at the Whiteside property were “variable”, with some described as “absolutely appalling.”

“The living conditions were repulsive, it was putrid … there was a significant build up of maggots in an enclosure,” Ms Gover told the court.

“It can be likened to how mentally ill people were treated in Victorian asylums.”

The court also heard how some of the dogs were dragging themselves around through filth, as their back legs weren’t working.

“The property also lacked bedding or food, there was no enrichment, they were emaciated and neglected in a systemic way,” Ms Gover said.

“There was a pattern of deflecting and making up excuses with inspectors.

“There’s also occasions where she blamed her daughter Alexandria or her sons for work that had not been done.”

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

The court then heard further about Barry the dalmatian who was dropped off in mid-2018.

Barry was paralysed in his back legs and had been dropped off in “good condition” according to the RSPCA prosecution.

“He was found on the ground dragging himself through filth … with ulcers through to the bone,” Ms Gover said.

“He had a plastic collar around his neck which Ms Cameron said was to stop him chewing his hind legs.

“She claims she didn’t think he was in discomfort because he had no feeling in his back legs.”

Ms Cameron’s defence lawyer, Yassar Khan from Bouchier Khan Lawyers, said the likelihood of his client reoffending “is not there”.

“I should also note she has suffered significant extra-curial punishment as a results of this,” Mr Khan said.

“She effectively had to go into hiding after the story was first published and then has had to move on a number of occasions because of online trolls … serious death threats and the like.

“A number of friends and associates have abandoned her as a consequence of this.”

In handing down the sentence, Acting Magistrate Patrick Murphy told Cameron the facts of the case, to which she agreed, were confronting.

“I have come to the view that a sentence of imprisonment even though it is a sentence of last resort, is the only sentencing option available to me,” he said.

Lisa-Jayne (LJ) Cameron, owner of Storybook Farm disabled animal rescue group, finally fronts court on more than 40 charges. Pic Annette Dew

Lisa-Jayne Cameron was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for the cruelty charges and six months for the other offences to be served currently.

The term of imprisonment was wholly suspended.

No financial penalty was imposed but Cameron will not be able to own another animal in her lifetime without RSPCA approval.

RSPCA Queensland solicitor Vanessa Lyons says the RSPCA was pleased with the result.

“There’s been a lot of community interest in this matter and we’re pleased to finally be, after over two years before the court, having justice for the animals that were seized,” she said.

“We’re really pleased with how the judge handled it and (the sentence) reflected community expectations as well.

“The defendant was given a prohibition order for an indefinite period so she will not be able to have any animals without the approval of the RSPCA for the rest of her life.”