Tag Archives: Edinburgh and The Lothians

Dogs

Musselburgh, East Lothian: David Watters

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CONVICTED (2022) | David Watters, born c. 1988, of High Street, Musselburgh EH21 6DE – let his family dog suffer from a painful eye condition which eventually left the animal blind.

Father-of-four David Watters paid £2,000 for the French bulldog named Tyson and watched as the dog’s health rapidly declined.

Tyson was put to sleep after being severely neglected by callous David Watters

The six-year-old dog was taken into care by SSCPA inspectors and was found to be in “severe discomfort and pain” with scarred eyes and a number of teeth missing.

Very sadly, he was put down following an attempt at surgery after it was decided to be the “most humane” option.

Watters initially visited a vet with Tyson, but claimed the birth of three children left him too skint to pay for treatment for three years.

In court, Watters admitted failing to provide adequate care and treatment for the dog, and not seeking veterinary help for his eye, ear and dental conditions.

Fiscal Depute Ruaridh Allison said concerns over Tyson’s welfare had been raised with SSPCA inspectors.

Mr Allison said he was taken to a vet who identified a condition which caused the dog “inadequate tear production”, leading to his eyes being “dry, scarred and inflamed”.

He added: “The dog was blind as a result. The vet stated that this condition appeared to have lasted no less than four months.”

Tyson had “several” teeth missing, the court heard, and there was “scarring and narrowing of the ear canal which indicated an infection”.

SSPCA inspectors spoke with Watters and it was confirmed Tyson had not been to see a vet in three years.

Mr Allison said: “Surgery was attempted but the decision was taken to euthanise the dog because of his condition. It was considered to be the most humane option.”

Watters admitted causing the unnecessary suffering to Tyson between May 14 and September 14, 2021.

Defence agent Cameron Tait said his client bought Tyson in 2015 and took him to a vet on a number of occasions for costly treatment for skin problems.

Mr Tait said Watters and his wife had added three more children to the family by 2021 and he was the “sole breadwinner”, earning £400 a week as a landscaper and labourer”.

Under the financial circumstances, the solicitor said Tyson’s “welfare was no longer the biggest priority”.

Mr Tait said: “He was aware the dog’s sight was affected. He appears to have stuck his head in the sand. He should’ve accepted that he could no longer look after the dog and surrendered him to the SSPCA or another charity. It’s a matter of regret.”

Sheriff John Cook told Watters: “This is a sad case where a family pet became too expensive to look after.”

Sheriff Cook said Watters should’ve dealt with this “rather than causing unfortunate suffering to an animal.”

Sentencing | fined £360. Banned from owning an animal for just three years (expires October 2025).

Edinburgh News
Daily Record

Update 14 November 2022: Scottish SPCA welcomes animal ban for Musselburgh man David Watters

June Chalcroft, Scottish SPCA inspector, said: “On September 14, 2021, I attended Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home in response to concern for a stray dog that had been handed into their centre that morning by a member of the public.

“I was shown Tyson, a grey and white male French bulldog.

“Scabs had formed on both of Tyson’s eyes and there was a white glaze over them.

“He appeared to be blind. His left ear was thickened and it was clear that he was in need of immediate veterinary attention.

“Watters contacted the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home stating that he was the owner.

“I then contacted Watters, who agreed to Tyson being taken to the vets.

“The veterinary examination confirmed that Tyson was suffering from dry eye, a painful condition where a lack of tear production had led to both eyes becoming dry, inflamed and chronically scarred.

“Tyson had sadly lost his sight due to his condition being left untreated for so long.

“The cauliflower-like thickening of his left ear was likely due to an untreated haematoma that had slowly reabsorbed alongside chronic ear disease, both of which are painful conditions causing unnecessary suffering.

“Tyson also had dental disease, several missing teeth, significant calculus deposits and halitosis.

“Due to the severity of his condition, sadly Tyson had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds.

“We are pleased Watters has been given this ban and we hope that he will seriously consider his ability to care for any animals in the future.

“Dry eye is a condition that’s normally manageable with appropriate medications prescribed by a veterinary surgeon.

“Any responsible person would have have noticed the changes in Tyson’s eyes and sought appropriate veterinary attention.”

East Lothian Courier

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Glenrothes, Fife: John Haxton

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#MostEvil | John Wilson Haxton aka John Falconer, born 9 August 1992, previously of Murrayburn Green, Edinburgh and at time of publication living in Glenrothes, Fife – beat his dog so badly she had to be put to sleep to end her suffering.

Dog killer John Haxton and victim Roxy.
Haxton beat Roxy so severely the retinas of both eyes became detached.

Haxton was found to have abused his Staffordshire bull terrier dog, Roxy, leaving her blind with severe swelling.

Haxton first came to the attention of the Scottish SPCA in 2018 after reports had been made to its animal helpline of people having witnessed him kicking or abusing Roxy in public or hearing noises suggesting he was beating the dog inside his home.

The animal charity investigated, but at the time there was no evidence to support the reports and he was only issued warnings.

However, in 2020 members of the public intervened after he was seen to be badly beating Roxy in public.

Two members of the public took Roxy from Haxton and she was bleeding from the eye, had cuts across her body and her neck had significant swelling. She was very distressed and was urinating blood.

Roxy had suffered repeated attacks by her owner sustaining injuries so severe that she had to be euthanised on humane grounds.
Roxy had suffered repeated attacks by her owner sustaining injuries so severe that she had to be euthanised on humane grounds.

The charity intervened again and inspector Fiona Thorburn met the members of the public at the vet where Roxy had been taken for emergency treatment.

The vet found numerous injuries on Roxy which suggested recent trauma including central blindness.

At that time, the vet determined that her vision would likely not return.

Roxy was required to stay at the hospital for 24 hours before she was transferred into the care of the Scottish SPCA.

Further examination found that she also had arthritis and a serious hip injury.

These conditions, as well as her recent injuries and blindness, were causing her immense pain and suffering and the sad decision was made to put her to sleep on welfare grounds.

Inspector Thorburn said: “The post-mortem showed that there had been bleeding to Roxy’s eyes for at least two days. The bleeding is generally associated with trauma to the eye and, in this case, to both of Roxy’s eyes. Her retinae were detached at least three days before her death which supports claims that Roxy was regularly beaten by Haxton.

“The vet concluded that Roxy had been caused severe unnecessary suffering as a result of the beating she received on May 2, 2020 and that the injuries sustained were a result of blunt trauma to her face, head and abdomen. She would have been caused immeasurable physical and mental pain and she was left terrified and anxious of human contact.

“It would have been clear to any responsible owner that Roxy needed emergency veterinary treatment.

“We liaised with the vet Roxy was registered with and found that earlier in 2020, she had been kicked so badly that she suffered a dislocated hip. Surgery to repair the injury was booked in but not taken forward.

“This is a very harrowing case and one that will stay with me and, I’m sure, everyone involved. The level of suffering inflicted on Roxy in Haxton’s care is unimaginable. She was put to sleep as a direct result of Haxton’s actions. We had hoped he would never be allowed to care for an animal ever again.

“We are extremely disappointed given the severity of the injuries Haxton inflicted on Roxy that he did not receive a lengthier ban or custodial sentence. Haxton had opportunities to relinquish ownership of his dog were he not coping but he refused and instead her suffering continued.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the two members of the public who witnessed Haxton beating Roxy in public and removed her from his care. Her injuries were so severe that who knows what would have happened if they hadn’t intervened. However, we wouldn’t recommend people put themselves in any danger in this sort of situation and to call Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA should they witness a crime such as this.”

Sentencing | 300-hour community payback order. Five-year ban on owning and keeping animals.

STV News
Edinburgh News

Update September 2022

Haxton is living with a woman named Sarah Falconer at a property in Caskieberran Road, Glenrothes KY6 2NT. It’s rumoured that the pair of them have bought a kitten together despite him being banned from keeping or owning any animal.

Haxton with girlfriend Sarah Falconer, who’s from Glenrothes.
Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking

Pilton, Edinburgh: Siobhan Buchan

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CONVICTED (2022) | Siobhan Isabella Stewart Buchan, born 21 February 1991, of Ferry Road Drive, Pilton, Edinburgh EH4 – had her puppy’s ears illegally cropped, then failed to take him to the vet when they became badly infected.

Siobhan Stewart subjected her puppy to a painful, unnecessary and illegal procedure
Cruel Siobhan Stewart subjected her puppy to a painful, unnecessary and illegal procedure

The American bully puppy, named Ice, was just five months old when he had the painful procedure carried out which removed the flaps on both of his ears.

Subsequently the wounds from the surgery, which was of no benefit to the dog, were swollen and infected, causing Ice a huge amount of pain and distress.

In July 2020, a member of the public alerted the Scottish SPCA about Ice’s illegally cropped ears.

Mother of four Siobhan Buchan aka Siobhan Stewart.
Mother of four Siobhan Buchan aka Siobhan Stewart walked free from court virtually unpunished despite leaving a puppy in agony.

An SSPCA special investigations unit undercover inspector said; “When we attended it was clear that Ice’s ears had only recently been cropped.

“Both ears had partially healed, infected surgical wounds. Both ears showed signs of inflammation and infection and were visibly swollen, with sutures still present in both wound sites. It was clear that the pup needed immediate veterinary attention.

“We immediately removed the puppy for veterinary attention and both his ears were found to be infected.

“Buchan stated she bought the puppy from France, however the procedure is also illegal there.

“It is an immensely painful and unnecessary procedure for an animal to go through, even if provided with full expert veterinary attention. Any dog that has been subjected to this procedure will have suffered significantly, physical and mentally, and will have been put at huge risk to health and life from the use of drugs, by untrained personnel, to anaesthetise the animal prior to procedure.

The wounds from the Ice's unnecessary ear cropping surgery were swollen and infected, causing the pup a huge amount of pain and distress.
The wounds from the Ice’s unnecessary ear cropping surgery were swollen and infected, causing the pup a huge amount of pain and distress.

“Buchan allowed Ice to suffer to a great extent without veterinary care in order to avoid police involvement, which has put him at great risk of both physical and psychological harm.

“We are pleased that Buchan will not be able to own any further dogs and we hope she will carefully consider her ability to care for any animal in the future.

“We’re pleased that this result means Ice has now been signed over into the care of the Scottish SPCA and we can find him the loving home he deserves”.

Sentencing | a three-year ban on owning more than one dog.

STV News
Scottish SPCA

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers

Menstrie, Clackmannanshire: Mikey Nesbitt and Rebecca Ward

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#MostEvil | repeat offender Michael Philip Nesbitt, born c. 1989, and Rebecca Ward, born c. 1996, of 9 Main Street East, Menstrie FK11 7BH – showed total disregard for the well-being of a dog found almost starved to death at their home.

Rebecca Ward and partner Mikey Nesbitt failed to care for their helpless pet dog. Nesbitt is pictured during a court appearance in 2008 when he was convicted of cruelty to 3 puppies found starved to death at his then home in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh.

Career criminal Nesbitt, who has a previous conviction for dog cruelty, and his partner Ward neglected their pet dog, Zeg, so badly over a 10-month period he lost fur and developed sores on his body.

The couple, who have a young baby, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Zeg at an address in McLachlan Street, Stenhousemuir, Larbert, between June 11, 2020 and April 24, 2021.

The charges stated they failed to provide him with appropriate care or adequate nutrition until the point he became emaciated and developed multiple pressure sores, hair loss and chronic skin damage to his tail.

The court heard that given proper care Zeg had recovered from his ordeal.

Mikey Nesbitt

Following the conclusion of the case, Scottish SPCA inspector, Andrew Gray, said, “On April 12, 2021, we responded to a concern for a dog that was described as extremely thin with protruding bones.

“We attempted to visit and call a few times but were unable to reach the owners. However, I could see a dog in a cage through the kitchen window. Only the dog’s head was visible and I couldn’t determine body condition or if provisions were available for the dog.

“On April 24, 2021, we visited the property again and were met by Ward. A dog matching the description we’d received appeared at the door in a very thin state with staining on his legs and underside.

“We took Zeg, a five to six-year old white and brindle Staffordshire bull terrier, to be examined by a vet.

“The vet found Zeg to be significantly underweight at just 19.8kg. A healthy weight for this size and breed of dog is 25 to 30kg. Zeg was also suffering from chronic muscle wastage over his head, legs and body.

“His ribs were clearly visible through his skin and he had pressure sores over his joints. These lesions were thickened which suggest laying on hard surfaces for long periods of time.

“The hair loss and skin damage on his tail indicated long-term caging in a small environment. There were pressure sores which were close to ulcerating over his pelvic area due to lack of muscle and fat coverage to protect the skin.

“When Zeg was fed, he ate ravenously with no difficulty swallowing. The vet concluded that there was no clinical reason to explain why Zeg was so underweight. Sadly, his condition suggests months of chronic malnutrition and inappropriate housing which caused him unnecessary suffering.

“Neither Nesbitt nor Ward have responded to repeated attempts to contact them. In the year that Zeg has been in our care they have also never enquired about how he is doing.

“We’re glad that Zeg is out of the situation that caused him so much suffering and we’re pleased that Nesbitt and Ward have been given lengthy bans on owning animals. Their sentencing means that Zeg can now start looking for his forever home.”

Sentencing |
Nesbitt: 12-month community payback order with 200 hours of unpaid work. 10-year ban.

Ward: ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work within 12 months. Banned from owning an animal for five years.

Falkirk Herald
Falkirk Herald

Additional Information

In 2008 Nesbitt, who’s originally from Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, was fined £150 and given a five-year ban after starving three puppies to death and dumping their bodies in a shoebox.

The court heard how officers from the Scottish SPCA had visited Nesbitt after a neighbour reported him walking a thin dog.

They found that the bitch, who had just given birth, was significantly underweight and told Nesbitt to make sure he fed her more.

But less than a month later, another call was made from a concerned neighbour over a foul smell coming from Nesbitt’s flat.

When officers entered the Clovenstone Gardens home, they found four puppies and their mother locked in a cage surrounded by their own mess.

They also discovered that three other pups had died and their bodies were lying in a shoebox in the hallway.

Officers immediately took the mother and her surviving puppies into care. As they drove away with the animals, Nesbitt threatened to kill himself.

Defence solicitor Victoria Good, for Nesbitt, said her client had been “deeply distressed” about what had happened.

She said Nesbitt, who admitted neglecting the animals, had been unable to care for the dogs after suffering from severe depression when his relationship broke down.

Ms Good added: “He and his girlfriend bought the dogs together, when she left she took one of the dogs and he gave up.

“He knew they were there and he had to take care of them but he just couldn’t get up out of bed. He is deeply distressed about what happened to the dogs.”

Deadline News

Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Pilton, Edinburgh: Declan Milne

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#MostEvil | Declan Milne, born 16 December 1999, of 129 Crewe Crescent, Pilton, Edinburgh EH5 2JN – stabbed a labrador 14 times with scissors.

Max had 14 separate wounds on his head and body.

Milne used his partner’s nail scissors to strike her four-year-old black Labrador, Max, on the head, cheek, and thighs.

He carried out the “appalling attack” on July 22, 2021.

Max belonged to the parents of Milne’s girlfriend but the couple were looking after him while they were on break.

Following the attack, Milne’s girlfriend found Max cowering in fear with faeces all over the floor and on his tail.

She questioned Milne who denied any wrongdoing but when she discovered a pair of nail scissors was missing from her set, she realised that they had what looked like black dog hair on them.

Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona Thorburn was alerted to the incident after a vet who treated Max was concerned by the number of injuries he had across his body.

The vet recognised these wounds were non-accidental and had immediate concerns for Max’s welfare so they contacted the animal helpline.

The scissors were taken for forensic analysis and dog blood and DNA was found on them.

Milne was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 under Section 19 1 (a) and (b) for causing Max unnecessary suffering by stabbing him with nail scissors multiple times.

Speaking about the case Inspector Thorburn said, “After Milne’s girlfriend discovered Max with the fresh injuries, she immediately phoned her family who returned from their weekend away. The family were incredibly concerned and took Max straight to the vet where he received prompt treatment for his wounds.

“This has been an incredibly distressing time for Max and his owners. The family trusted Milne to look after their pet and unbeknownst to them, Milne caused Max a great deal of stress and pain. The suffering to Max is not just physical but would have caused him immense mental anguish too.

“The puncture wounds were on Max’s head, cheek, his thighs and muzzle. The vet determined that the injuries were caused by repeated trauma with a sharp object. A second vet was consulted who surmised that it was beyond any reasonable doubt that Max had sustained those injuries by deliberate violent means.

“We are glad that Milne pled guilty and admitted to this appalling crime.

“We don’t believe this was the first time that Max was caused to suffer at the hands of Milne.

“What we can take away from this is that Milne was caught when he was so that Max did not have to continue to suffer.

“We are pleased to say that Max recovered well from his wounds no doubt helped by being surrounded by his loving family.

“The Sheriff stated in court that he was ‘nauseated by the cruelty’ Milne had shown towards Max.

“We are pleased that Milne admitted his guilt in this case and that he has been handed this sentence. The ban will ensure no other animals will suffer at his hands like Max did.

“We would like to thank Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) who carried out the DNA testing.”

Milne was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 under Section 19 1 (a) and (b) for causing Max unnecessary suffering by stabbing him with nail scissors multiple times.

Sentencing: four-month restriction of liberty order; 200-hour community payback order. Ten-year ban on owning animals.

STV News
Edinburgh Live

Animal Torture, hedgehogs, Other Mammals, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Bonnyrig, Midlothian: Niall Sheridan

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CONVICTED (2021) | Niall S Sheridan, born 14 May 1999, with a most recent known address of Lothian Street, Bonnyrigg EH19 3AE but with links to the towns of Loanhead, Lasswade and Gorebridge, Midlothian – tortured and killed a hedgehog by stamping on her, stabbing her with a knife and striking her with a pool cue.

Niall Sheridan, who tortured a helpless hedgehog to death.

Sheridan also played football with the female creature in the corridor of his homeless accommodation in Midlothian and hit her with a ‘wet floor’ cone.

He used a knife to stab the hedgehog around ten times during the harrowing incident caught on CCTV.

As Sheridan laughed and joked with another man and filmed the abuse on his mobile phone, the hedgehog suffered an agonising 20 minute ordeal.

Police were called by concerned staff at the Kilbreck House homeless unit and officers were forced to restrain Sheridan using handcuffs, leg restraints and a spit hood.

The court heard he shouted threats including saying he would “slit their throats” and “harm their families”.

A postmortem conducted by a vet found the hedgehog likely endured “significant and unnecessary pain and suffering” as death wasn’t instantaneous.

Sadistic animal abuser Niall Sheridan

The thug pleaded guilty to a number of charges including causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering before killing it on July 12, 2021.

Sheridan also pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, knife possession, and making threats of violence to police.

Sheridan’s lawyer, David Storrie, told the court his client was high on a mixture of drink and drugs at the time.

The court heard he had consumed an “alarming amount of vodka and Buckfast” as well as Valium before the incident.

Storrie added that Sheridan is now clean of drugs due to being on remand and the period of custody has “done him the power of good”.

But Sheriff Daniel Kelly told Sheridan he had committed a “cruel and prolonged” attack on the animal and had “caused significant injuries and ultimately its death”.

He added: “It does have to be recognised that this was horrific, and a horrific way to treat an animal.

“You were admitted to Kilbreck House and you did go out and return with the hedgehog so there is some intent there.”

Sentencing: jailed for 20 months and banned from owning or keeping any animal for the next 10 years.

Edinburgh Evening News

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species

Livingston, West Lothian: Kirsty McNeil

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#MostEvil | Kirsty M McNeil, born 13 May 1981, previously of Nelson Avenue, Livingston EH54 6BY – neglected several animals with the emaciated remains of a dog found in her freezer.

Kirsty McNeil was found to have kept the remains of a dog named Cooper after he had slowly been starved to death.

The mother-of-three had admitted to causing the pet unnecessary suffering by failing to provide him with appropriate care and treatment.

During an earlier hearing, McNeill was banned from keeping any kind of animal for a period of five years.

McNeil was also found to have mistreated two other dogs and cats that she kept at her home.

After initially being given a structured deferred sentence in August 2021, Ms McNeil was given a second nine-month sentencing deferral in November 2021.

The decision was said to be to enable her to take full advantage of the help and support being offered to her by social work and other agencies.

Adjourning the case until 18 August 2022 for McNeil – who was not in court – to be of good behaviour, Sheriff Jane Farquharson commented: “I take full account of the significant efforts she’s made herself.

“Nine months gives her the opportunity to do what she needs, but gives her the security that the court is keeping an eye on things to ensure that she’s maintaining her progress.”

Glenn Fraser, defending, told Livingston Sheriff Court that his client’s mental health had been “extremely poor” at the time of the offence and she hadn’t been looking after herself or anyone else.

He said she had “grasped the help she is now receiving with both hands” and was making every effort to deal with ongoing issues in her life.

He said: “The charges are serious charges. If the help she’s got now had been available at the time, perhaps we wouldn’t be here now.”

Mr Fraser told the earlier hearing that his client had not ill-treated her pets because of deliberate cruelty.

He said: “This happened because she wasn’t coping at the time. She just went into a downward spiral.”

The case came to light on 24 November 2019 after an anonymous caller told the Scottish SPCA that two cats at McNeil’s then home in Nelson Avenue, Livingston, were not being attended to.

SSPCA inspectors found the floor of McNeil’s home covered in dog faeces and a strong smell of urine in the flat.

Cooper, whose body had initially been stored in the drawer of a broken freezer, was found in a shallow grave in the garden.

His fur was so matted that inspectors couldn’t identify what breed the dog was.

The dead animal had not been exercised or cared for properly for so long that his claws curved underneath the pads on his feet and there were clumps of faecal matter on his hindquarters.

Yorkshire terrier Max was very thin with a matted coat.
Yorkshire terrier Max was very thin with a matted coat.

Two other dogs – a cross-breed called Benji and a Yorkshire terrier named Max – had similarly overgrown nails through lack of exercise.

Sharply pronged carpet gripper was exposed around the edges of the faeces-covered carpet in one room and there was clear evidence that the animals had chewed and scratched the door frame in a desperate bid to escape.

The pets which were still alive were rescued and taken away in an SSPCA van. Cooper’s body was disposed of after a vet carried out a post mortem examination to establish the cause of death, which was organ failure caused by malnutrition.

McNeil pleaded guilty to failing to feed Cooper properly whereby he became emaciated with a matted coat, overgrown claws and faecal and urine staining on his fur.

She also pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable steps to meet the needs of her two other dogs and two cats between the same dates, 24 September and 24 November 2019, by failing to give the pets suitable food and water and adequate exercise which would have allowed them to exhibit normal behaviour patterns.

In addition, she admitted neglecting her mother Agnes Woodside, for whom she was carer, and other individuals by failing (presumably her children) to provide them with adequate food and clothing.

Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona Thorburn said inspectors who visited the property had found Max, a Yorkshire terrier, who was very thin with a matted coat, and Benji, a small crossbreed, who seemed to be in fair condition with mild matting.

“Max was kept by the vet for treatment and the other animals were taken to an animal rescue and rehoming centre where they received the care and rehabilitation they needed.

“The suffering McNeil directly caused Max and Cooper by failing to provide food and the most basic of care was entirely avoidable.”

Sentencing: deferred until 18 August 2022. Five-year ban imposed (expires August 2026).

Edinburgh Live
Daily Record

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Tranent, East Lothian: David Aird

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CONVICTED (2021) | David Aird, born 8 December 1991, from Tranent (address tbc) – battered a tiny dog causing a fatal brain injury

Archie (pictured) died after being battered by his evil owner, David Aird – a care home worker.

Care home worker David Aird admitted striking chihuahua/Jack Russell cross Archie with his hand which led to the canine suffering a fatal haemorrhage.

Aird pleaded guilty to causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering.

The court heard Aird struck the dog with his hand causing a “severe and extensive haemorrhage in the cranial vault” resulting in significant brain compression.

The incident happened at his home in Tranent, East Lothian, on February 3. 2021.

.Fiscal depute Deborah King said a postmortem was later conducted.

Ms King said it found Archie had suffered “brunt force trauma to the top of the skull” from what appeared to be a single blow.

The postmortem said such an injury can be “rapidly fatal”.

Ms King said the examination concluded the injury could’ve been caused by an object such as a stick or hammer, or potentially a punch or kick, as could falling from a height onto a hard surface.

The prosecutor said the “force to fracture the skull might have rendered the dog unconscious” and that might’ve been immediate, but this wasn’t certain.

She said Archie could’ve been in pain until unconsciousness developed.

The court was told Aird was charged after the postmortem findings were returned.

Aird, who represented himself in court, said he was a care home worker.

Asked by Sheriff Peter McCormack if he had anything to say about the possibility of being banned from keeping a pet, Aird replied: “No.”

Sentencing: fined £420. Banned from owning or keeping a pet for 20 years.

EdinburghLive
Daily Record

Update June 2022

It was reported that the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) had issued Aird with a six-month suspension order following his conviction for animal cruelty.

The SSSC said: “Social service workers must not behave, while in or outside work, in a way which would bring their suitability to work in social services into question.

“You struck your pet dog on the head with your hand, resulting in your dog’s death.

“You have failed to uphold the law and your behaviour demonstrates a loss of self-control and disregard for the safety of the animal in your care.

“Committing such a crime of violence raises concerns over your values as it is attitudinal in nature, which can make such behaviour harder to remediate.

“Behaviour of this manner is contrary to the values expected of registered social service workers.

“Your behaviour is likely to have negatively impact the public’s trust and confidence in the profession.

“The public has the right to expect that social care workers, in whom it places its trust and confidence, will uphold the law and will not engage in offending behaviour.

“Your behaviour was fundamentally incompatible with the conduct expected of a social care worker.”

On making their decision, they said: “We decided the appropriate sanction is to place a suspension order on your registration for a period of six months.

“This was an isolated incident for which you have expressed significant
regret and remorse.

“No findings have previously been made against you by the SSSC.

“No findings of previous violent or offending behaviour or subsequent violent or offending behaviour.

“There is no evidence you have acted violently towards any person you have encountered in your social services employment.

“You have shown insight and reflected on your behaviour.”

Edinburgh Live

Additional Information

Aird describes himself as an “ex singer-songwriter”. He continues to perform at open mic venues as well as virtually on social media.

He regularly shares performances to his Facebook page, which he’s named Nakee-Dave Music.

Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Broxburn, West Lothian: Andrew Mackay and Nicole Logan

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#MostEvil | Andrew James Mackay, born 1 June 1991, of 59 Laing Gardens, Broxburn EH52 6XU – battered a dog to death while partner Nicole Logan, born 28 September 1993, of the same address turned a blind eye to the dog’s suffering.

Andrew Mackay told a vet he had tripped over crossbred Bonzo while doing the dishes just days before Christmas in 2019.

But in reality, he had savagely beaten the defenceless dog in a series of “barbaric and tortuous” attacks, leaving him with more than 25 rib factures. He then failed to get him proper medical treatment.

Victim Bonzo
Bonzo’s injuries included 25 rib fractures and a ruptured windpipe.

An x-ray of Bonzo’s broken body found he had suffered at least 25 rib fractures, fractures on his eye socket and cheek, a ruptured trachea and injuries to his face.

Shockingly, these injuries were caused on four separate occasions and would have left the pooch in unimaginable pain.

Mackay was jailed for 18 weeks after being found guilty of abusing the animal and failing to get him medical treatment between September and December 2019.

His partner, Nicole Logan, was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to get Bonzo help and given a suspended sentence..

The horrific abuse campaign took place at the couple’s former home in Clarence Avenue, Knott-End-On-Sea, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, before they returned to Scotland.

Blackpool Magistrates’ Court heard how Bonzo was taken to a vets by Mackay on December 23, 2019 where he claimed to have fallen on the dog.

The vet was unable to save Bonzo and he tragically died during attempts to resuscitate him.

The vet suspected that the pet had died as a result of abuse so reported the matter to the RSPCA.

Inspector Will Lamping along with officers from Lancashire Police visited Mackay’s address as part of the investigation and spoke with Logan.

She told them that her partner had told her Bonzo received a punctured lung while running through some bushes.

Later that day Mackay himself contacted the RSPCA and claimed he had injured Bonzo by standing on him and falling over him as he was washing up, while Logan was at work.

He also said the dog also had some old injuries from running through some bushes a month and a half before.

However, in court independent veterinary experts said the injuries could not have been caused by a fall but said Bonzo had been subjected to a series of abuse – and two attacks were most likely caused by blunt force trauma.

Mackay had claimed that he had tried to give him CPR for 10 minutes after ‘falling on him’ but when this failed he took the dog to the vets.

The vet saw some cuts around the dog’s mouth which Mackay said must have happened when he scraped himself against rocks while walking on the beach earlier.

The court heard how he had previously taken the dog to the same vets in October 2019 after claiming the dog had appeared from some bushes with a blister on his eye.

During this examination the vet found the dog had a number of broken ribs in addition to the cut on his eye.

In a statement the independent veterinary expert said: “The majority of injuries sustained by Bonzo on both 10/10/19 and 23/12/19 were blunt force in nature.

“Blunt force trauma occurs when a stationary animal is struck with a moving object – for example hitting a dog with a hammer – or a moving animal collides with a stationary object such as throwing a dog against a wall.

“The radiographs produced on October 10 2019 and December 23, 2019 indicate that Bonzo had sustained a large number of rib fractures.

“The rib fractures are so numerous it is difficult to determine precisely how many rib fractures have been sustained but there are at least 25.

“The radiographs produced on October 10, 2019 indicate at least two separate episodes of trauma had occurred as some fractures had begun to heal which was the same on December 23.

“This indicates that Bonzo sustained blunt force trauma to the chest on at least four separate occasions between the beginning of September 2019 and December 23, 2019 that resulted in multiple rib fractures and a fractured right cheek bone.”

In sentencing the pair the magistrate described the attacks as “barbaric and torturous” and that it was “prolonged and deliberate injuries”.

They added that Logan was aware of the injuries but failed to seek veterinary treatment for her dog who was left in a suffering state.

Inspector Lamping said: “The injuries caused to Bonzo were some of the worst I’ve seen. The image of his broken body will stay with me for a long time.”

Sentencing:
Mackay: 18 weeks in jail. Ordered to pay a total of £2,128 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping all animals for 10 years.

Logan: 12-week prison term suspended for 12 months; 100 hours of unpaid work; curfew, £328 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.

Bans expire August 2031.

Daily Record
Daily Mail

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Edinburgh: Steven Goddard

1 Comment

CONVICTED (2021) | Steven Michael Goddard, born 30 January 1991, of Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh EH1 1NB – left his pet dog to starve in squalor

Steven Goddard's dog Rocco was left to starve in squalor
Steven Goddard was jailed after leaving Staffy Rocco to starve in filthy conditions

Steven Goddard pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering after the SSPCA found the starving pooch, known as Rocco, in his filthy home.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was found dehydrated and severely underweight, after a member of the public reported they could hear a dog being hit.

Steven Goddard's dog Rocco was left to starve in squalor
Aside from being emaciated, the neglected dog was suffering from overgrown claws

At the time he was discovered, the “emaciated” animal was found to weigh only 10kg, when he should have been 13kg-17kg.

He was also dehydrated with overgrown claws which would have caused him considerable discomfort.

Steven Goddard's dog Rocco was left to starve in squalor

Scottish SPCA inspector Stuart Murray said: “On gaining entry to the property there was an immediate smell.

“The interior was dark and the floor was covered in piles of faeces, pools of urine and general rubbish.

“Rocco appeared to be in emaciated condition.

“He was dehydrated, his coat smelt badly, and he had a dejected demeanour. Rocco’s claws were approximately half an inch overgrown suggesting a lack of care or exercise.

“Once we took Rocco outside we had to immediately provide him with water as he was so thirsty he was trying to drink from puddles in the street.

“Rocco would have taken at least seven days to reach the emaciated condition he was in, but in reality, would most likely have taken much longer.

“This would have caused him a huge amount of distress and suffering, which would have been largely rectified simply by offering basic care.”

Despite the efforts of the Scottish SPCA, Rocco was later put down after he developed a neurological condition which affected his mobility.

Sentencing: 40 days’ imprisonment. Disqualified from owning a dog for eight years (expires January 2029).

Daily Record
STV News

Additional Information

Goddard is a convicted sex offender, who in 2009 was jailed for five years for child rape.

In February 2021 he was sentenced to eight months in prison after breaching a sexual offences prevention order. The court heard he failed to tell the authorities that he had started a relationship with a woman in Grangemouth.