Five dogs died of starvation or had to be put down after being left to suffer in a Dundee “house of horrors”.
The petrified American Bulldog and Shar Pei-type-cross dogs roamed a disgusting, rubbish-laden home for months without adequate food and water.
Stacey Harris, 39, admitted neglecting the dogs at her former home in the Linlathen area between August and October 2024.
Some of the animals were eating the carcasses of puppies in squalid conditions.
A stunned silence fell over the public gallery at Dundee Sheriff Court as the harrowing circumstances were read aloud.
“I have never heard this court so quiet,” Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith told mum-of-two Harris.
“The members of the public are shocked. Some of them are upset.”
Remanding her, pending sentencing, he said: “I have to give serious consideration to your safety pending the preparation of reports”
He said were Harris liberated people may seek to “exact revenge” in the same way they might on people who commit offences against children.
Scottish SPCA raid
The property on Mossgiel Crescent was abandoned by Harris with the court hearing how almost every room was strewn with rubbish and household items.
Entry was forced by the Scottish SSPCA on October 19 last year after concerns were raised by a member of the public.
An officer from the animal welfare charity saw an emaciated, Shar Pei-type dog barking with eyes that were “very obviously” green with infection.
A chest of drawers covered one of the doors in the property with the officer also observing dirt and old dog faeces.
Fiscal depute Sam Craib said: “Multiple parties attended including police, a joiner from Dundee City Council and further persons from the SSPCA.
“They tried the front door handle and found the door to be unlocked.
“As soon as the door was opened, the smell of dog faeces and urine was overpowering. The hallway was covered in clothing, rubbish and faeces.”
That horrifying trend continued throughout the home with faeces present in almost every room apart from those that the dogs could not access.
A tan and white American Bulldog, named Koda, was found with its ribs visibly protruding and scared.
The toilet bowl in the bathroom was empty but the bath was filled with household items and water; however, this was not accessible.
Mr Craib added: “The dogs were removed and one had to be carried as it was unable to walk.
“Remains were found at the top of the hallway. All that was left of the dog was the skull, the spine, the back legs and skin.
“Three Shar Pei dogs were removed from upstairs. A dead Shar Pei-cross was found lying on the floor.
“The dog was clearly emaciated but described as recently fresh with little or no decomposition.”
Maximum year in prison
Harris pled guilty to seven separate charges of animal neglect which resulted in the Sharpei-cross dogs Cuba, Nola and Oakley being euthanised.
Dogs of the same breed named Vito and Cash died of starvation.
The Courier previously told how Vito’s previous owner had feared for his pet.
Harris admitted causing suffering to a total eight dogs of varying breeds by failing to provide adequate nutrition and hydration, failing to provide adequate rest and bedding areas and containing them in a property filled with household waste, urine, faeces and the carcasses of dead dogs.
This resulted in the dogs eating puppies and other dogs or carcasses, which failed to allow them to exhibit normal behaviours.
Harris has been prosecuted at summary level, meaning the maximum sentence Harris would receive is 12 months in custody.
Solicitor Kevin Hampton said Harris had been threatened as a result of the raid on her home being shared on social media.
He said: “She is very remorseful. She accepts full responsibility.
“She understands the severity of what she has pled guilty to.”
Mr Hampton asked for Harris to be released on bail for a pre-sentencing social work report to be prepared.
Sheriff Niven-Smith said: “Custody is inevitable.
“You will receive a custodial sentence to mark the seriousness, to punish you and to deter others from behaving in this way.
“Given the house of horrors described, I am going to send you to custody.”
Harris was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
Other cases outstanding
Harris’ crimes come as a warrant remains outstanding for Christopher McLaren, who previously admitted neglecting XL bullies in the Douglas area.
Police are still to apprehend the 31-year-old after he failed to appear for sentencing in April.
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