A Fife couple have been banned for life from keeping animals after their two Rottweilers were found starving and neglected.
One of the dogs scored “one out of nine” for body condition by a vet after being removed by the Scottish SPCA from their Methil home.
Mary Walton, 62, and George Todd, 71, previously pled guilty to causing their pets Beau and Nala unnecessary suffering by failing to provide them with adequate nutrition.
In Beau’s case, this led to the dog becoming emaciated, Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard.
Sheriff Maryam Labaki described it as a “harrowing case” in which two animals “were starved and neglected”.
The sheriff said Walton had given an explanation of “not coping” but Todd had shown “no remorse”.
She added: “Your attitude is quite frankly despicable in the face of suffering you have caused.
“The court will, in relation to both accused, impose lifetime disqualification from owning or keeping any animal”.
‘Extremely underweight’
Procurator fiscal depute Catherine Stevenson told the court two inspectors from the Scottish SPCA went to the couple’s home in Byron Street on June 28 last year after concerns were raised about the dogs.
The court heard the dogs were in the kitchen and Walton needed her partner to help get them out, describing the pets as “wild”.
The fiscal depute said: “When the dogs were allowed out of the kitchen, they threw themselves into the room and began rummaging around and started licking anything that resembled a bowl.”
Two-year-old Nala and four-year-old Beau were noted as being very thin.
They were removed and taken to a vet in Livingston.
Dogs ate ‘greedily’ at vet practice
The fiscal depute continued: “Beau was found to be extremely underweight, scoring 1/9 for body condition, with visible bones – including ribs and pelvis – and muscle loss”.
The court heard Nala scored a 2/9 for body condition.
The vet found the dogs’ ribs and pelvic bones were prominent, they ate “greedily” when offered food, had head wounds consistent with fighting and Beau had sores on the pelvis due to lying on hard surfaces.
However, the fiscal depute confirmed to the sheriff both dogs survived their ordeal.
She said by September they were reported to be “doing well” and had gained 22% of body weight in just over nine weeks.
The charges
At an earlier court hearing, Walton and Todd pled guilty to two charges of causing the dogs unnecessary suffering between May 31 and June 28 last year.
In each case they failed to seek veterinary treatment for weight and muscle loss.
The pair admitted a third charge of failing to meet the needs of the animals to the extent required by good practice, on June 28.
This involved failing to provide adequate hydration, nutrition and resting areas and exposing the dogs to urine, faeces and a knife or similar instrument.
The offences are all breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Neither Walton or Todd was represented by a lawyer in court.
Little mitigation offered
Walton did not say anything in mitigation and Todd referred to a background report which suggested the dogs had been jumping up to the sink to get water.
He said one of the complaints at the time was that there had been “too much water lying about the place” because they spilled drink on the floor.
He did not say anything about the body condition scores after the sheriff highlighted to him that they were “very low”.
Sentence welcomed
Scottish SPCA inspector, Robyn Gray, said, “We’re pleased that Mary Walton and George Todd received a lifetime ban on owning or keeping animals.
“The couple previously received a fiscal warning in 2017 and we are glad that this outcome will prevent further harm to animals in their care.
“Both dogs were caused unnecessary suffering which could have been prevented.
“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
