A Livingston man has been handed a five year ban on owning animals after keeping three dogs in appalling conditions without access to food or water.
The Scottish SPCA said the dogs were found living among copious faeces, smashed glass and broken furniture after concerns were raised about their welfare.
The owner, Connor Stewart, was sentenced on 15 July at Livingston Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to breaching animal welfare legislation. He was also given a £200 fine.
The Scottish SPCA said its inspectors attended Stewart’s property in December 2023 after concerns for the dogs in his care were raised to the society’s animal helpline.
In a statement, it wrote: “Upon arrival conditions could be seen to be horrendous through the letterbox and Stewart was contacted to return to the flat and give access.
“Stewart arrived at the flat and brought Dobermans Ammo and Karma and Staffordshire Bull Terrier Kya out onto the landing area. Ammo was underweight, with his ribs and hips obviously visible and his nails overgrown.”
An Inspector said: “The flat was completely squalid. The floors were soaked in urine and covered in thick layers of faeces throughout the property, some of which was beginning to turn mouldy.
“There was broken furniture throughout, smashed glass on the floors and electric shock collars charging in the kitchen area of the flat. All the food and water bowls were empty and bone dry.”
The animal protection group said the conditions were “some of the worst the inspector had found animals living in.”
A decision was then made to remove all dogs from the property and take them into the care of the Scottish SPCA.
Police Scotland were called to support removal of the animals but Stewart fled with his two Dobermans, leading to a deprivation order being issued at Livingston Court in relation to these dogs. His remaining Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Kya was taken to a local veterinary practice for further care. She was noted to “smell strongly of urine and faeces and drank voraciously having had no water within the locus.”
Following the sentencing, the Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “We are pleased with the Sheriff’s decision. Stewart’s behaviour was unacceptable, and he showed complete disregard for his dogs’ wellbeing.
No animal should be kept in such conditions, and we hope this sentencing sends a clear message that animal neglect will not be tolerated in Scotland.”
The Scottish SPCA added that it is calling for a National Animal Offenders register to be built into existing intelligence systems “to support monitoring of individuals convicted of animal cruelty and prevent further harm by individuals.”
