Monthly Archives: November 2022

Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Yelverton, Devon: Rodney Blake

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CONVICTED (2022) | Rodney Blake, born c. 1958, of of 3 Bedford Place, Yelverton PL20 7QD – failed to treat his dog’s rotting open wounds.

Blake was investigated and prosecuted by the RSPCA after the charity was contacted about his dog, Blackie. She was found with rotting open wounds after escaping from her home in March 2022.

A neighbour discovered the elderly sheep dog and he had immediate concerns for her welfare. He said he could smell a “very strong smell of rotten flesh” and her fur was matted and knotted.

Elderly border collie Blackie was put to sleep on welfare grounds after being left to suffer with open wounds, the cause of which remains unexplained.

Blake admitted leaving his dog to suffer without desperately needed veterinary care between February 6 2022 and March 8, 2022.

The neighbour who found Blackie said in a statement: “The dog was still lying down and there was a very strong smell of rotten flesh coming from the dog. On closer inspection the dog’s fur was matted and knotted and tangled together. When we got right up close we then noticed that the dog’s under belly and side were ripped open and all her flesh was showing.

“Then we saw she was in a poor condition. Her claws were about two to three inches long. We were in a dilemma what to do next and decided the best thing to do was to put the dog in a wheelbarrow as she could not walk and it was unkind to carry her because of the wound.

“We could not just leave her there. I gently picked her up and put her in the wheelbarrow. We wheeled her back to the stable which is about 50 yards away.”

Blackie was then taken to a vet by Blake who agreed to the vet putting her to sleep to end her suffering. The vet raised their concerns that she had been left to suffer for a prolonged period of time with an untreated necrotic and ulcerated widespread tumour of the abdomen.

RSPCA Inspector Claire Ryder, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said after the sentencing: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment from veterinary experts when they need it.

“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy. Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets. It’s so sad that, in this instance, that responsibility was not met and Blackie suffered as a result.”

Blake has appealed against the disqualification order preventing him from owning dogs.

Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Ordered to pay £250 costs and a £128 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for ten years.

Devon Live

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Dolgellau, North-West Wales: Andrew Pugh and Dominic Thomas

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CONVICTED (2022) | wildlife killers Andrew Lloyd Pugh of Tyn Y Coed, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau LL40 2HW and Dominic John Thomas of 1 Ffordd Heulog, Dolgellau LL40 1HH – failed to treat their dogs’ facial injuries and dental disease.

Dominic Thomas (left) and Andrew Pugh were prosecuted following an RSPCA investigation into suspected wildlife crime

Pugh and Thomas each admitted one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to their dogs by failing to provide veterinary treatment. The prosecution followed an investigation by the RSPCA’s special operations unit (SIU) into suspected wildlife crimes.

Pugh pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dark brown/black female terrier known as Storm by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of her severe dental disease.

Vets said the dogs’ facial injuries were consistent with badger fighting,

Thomas pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a brown male terrier dog known as Charlie by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of a severe and infected facial injury on the right side of the dog’s face.

The court heard that police warrants were issued at the men’s addresses on March 10, 2022, as part of the SIU’s investigation known as Operation Epona.

At Pugh’s address, Storm was found with extensive scarring to her face and lower jaw, and was exhibiting a degloving injury to her jaw. Storm was seized by police and placed into RSPCA care.

When not forcing his dogs to fight wild animals for his sadistic pleasure, Dominic Thomas plays for Dolgellau Athletic Amateur Football Club

At Thomas’s address five dogs were seized by police and remain in RSPCA care. One of these dogs was a terrier named Charlie who had infected fresh wounds on his muzzle as well as old scarring.

It was also heard that as RSPCA officers approached the address they were informed that a man had thrown a dog over the fence and ran off with it when police executed the warrant. North Wales Police later caught the man who ran off and returned the dog to the premises.

In witness statements from vets in attendance at both warrants it was stated that both Storm and Charlie suffered unnecessarily.

The vets gave the opinion that the injuries seen to the lower jaw in both dogs had the “appearance of a typical injury resulting from those type of activities involving dogs and badgers”.

The six dogs in the care of the RSPCA will now be rehomed – this includes Storm and Charlie who were part of deprivation orders made in court.

Sentencing |
Pugh and Thomas were both ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £695 in costs and victim surcharge. They were each disqualified for five years from keeping dogs. An Animal Welfare Act section 35 order was made also for a female black Patterdale called Sally who was still owned by Pugh.

Rhyl Journal

Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Cross Houses, Shropshire: Daniel Cherriman

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CONVICTED (2022) | Hunt master Daniel James Cherriman, born June 1985, of Eaton Mascott, Cross Houses, Shrewsbury SY5 6HF – failed to call off dogs when they “disturbed” a fox.

Daniel Cherriman

South Shropshire Hunt master and ex huntsman of the Pytchley Hunt Daniel Cherriman was in charge of a hunt on National Trust land in the Long Mynd area of Church Stretton when the dogs caught scent of an animal.

According to Cherriman’s legal representative, the fox was not killed,

The court heard that footage captured by witnesses showed Cherriman making noises to disturb foxes. He then did nothing as the hounds hunted.

As hunt master, Cherriman should have identified what was happening and taken measures to take the hounds off the scent. The court was told Cherriman was responsible for the hounds on that day, and he should have taken reasonable action.

Cherriman pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with dogs, contrary to the Hunting Act 2004.

Stephen Belford, mitigating, said that Cherriman would likely “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs who would “rejoice” in his guilty plea.

“It’s not a case where there was a kill,” he said. “On this occasion a fox was disturbed.”

Oliver Beazley

The case had been due to go to trial in December 2022, with Cherriman’s “whipper-in” or assistant, Oliver Beazley, also due to appear in court. However, Cherriman told his legal representative he wanted to plead guilty at the beginning of October 2022. The case against Beazley was discontinued.

Cherriman is a self-employed father-of-three who rides as an amateur jockey in point to point races.

Sentencing | ordered to pay a total of £803 in fine, costs and surcharge.

Shropshire Star

Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking

Airdrie, North Lanarkshire: Andrew Kirkland

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CONVICTED (2022) | Andrew Dean Kirkland, born July 1990, of Thornlea Gardens, Airdrie ML6 6HW – illegally cropped the ears of his American bully pup, Kane.

Andrew Kirkland only received a 12-month ban after illegally cropping an American Bully pup’s ears

Kirkland, company director of Cranium Ink Ltd, admitted causing unnecessary suffering through failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries caused by a prohibited procedure.

Social media images proved that puppy Kane’s ears had been mutilated while in Kirkland’s care

A Scottish SPCA special investigations unit inspector involved in the case said “We attended a premises in Airdrie on 30 April 2021 and found Kane, an American bully puppy aged between five and six months, at the property with cropped ears.

“We immediately removed the dog due to concerns for his welfare and took him to a veterinary surgery. He was examined and it was determined the ear cropping would have taken place more than three weeks prior. Three quarters of both of the flaps on his ears had been removed and there were dimples either side of the wound consistent with the placement of suture material.

“This illegal procedure would have caused Kane considerable pain and discomfort for purely cosmetic reasons.

“At first, Kirkland tried to claim that the dog had been imported from Bulgaria with cropped ears but we know this not to be the case. We also found several photos on Kirkland’s mobile phone showing both Kane as a puppy with intact ears and with fresh wounds from the procedure while in his care.

“When confronted with this evidence Kirkland said he thought ear cropping was legal and had been told it would make his dog less aggressive and stop him fighting with other dogs.

“In the UK, as ear cropping is a prohibited procedure, any operation is unlikely to be carried out with appropriate anaesthetic or pain relief. Kirkland has allowed this to be carried out to a defenceless young dog, undoubtedly causing significant unnecessary suffering, with no regard for the pain and discomfort this would ultimately cause Kane.

“We are pleased that Kirkland has been given a ban but, given that he has shown a premeditated willingness to compromise welfare for a purely cosmetic reason, we would have liked it to be for a longer period of time.”

Sentencing | 190-hour Community Payback Order; 12 month ban on owning, keeping or working with animals.

Daily Record
SSPCA News

Dogs, Lifers, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Worst of the Worst

Ditton, Kent: Danny King Sr

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CONVICTED (2022) | serial offender Danny King Sr, born c. 1979, of 44 Nursery Road, Ditton, Maidstone ME20 6DZ – for the cruel treatment of dogs and puppies.

Pikey

King Sr, a traveller, was already banned from keeping animals when he was found to be mistreating the dogs on his puppy farm, leaving them in their own faeces and without access to fresh water.

He pleaded guilty to causing to causing unnecessary suffering to a tan, male lurcher and failing to take steps to ensure that the needs of five dogs and three puppies were met.

The offences took place between October 23 and November 20, 2021.

Other offences, including causing unnecessary suffering to an apricot male cavapoo puppy and a white female setter, and for breaching a 20-year conviction of being disqualified for keeping animals were dismissed.

The RSPCA presented multiple videos as evidence of the conditions on-site, which were played in court.

One of the videos depicted two kennels, which had metal bars at the front and were attached to an adjoining shed.

Dirty scummy pikeys
Danny King Sr with son and fellow animal abuser Danny King Jr

RSPCA inspector Will Rippon, who assisted with the investigation, said there was a “very smelly” aroma.

He noted one dog’s behaviour in particular, who was walking round in circles, which he said was “very concerning”.

Mr Rippon added that there was an open bag of dry dog food outside the kennels, and above, on a window ledge, was a bottle of bleach.

Another video showed the conditions inside the shed where three puppies were living, none of which had access to water.

The officer said there was a “foul smell and a pile up of mouldy faeces”.
He also showed the wooden gate keeping the puppies inside was drilled with nails, explaining that there was no easy access to get to the dogs, and would need a screwdriver to remove.

Mr Rippon found two metal tins on the ground – one had been chewed all the way round and a bottle of Drontal puppy worming liquid that was embedded in poo.

Eight dogs, including lurchers and cavapoos, found at the property were seized.

Vet Jeremy Stattersfield assessed a male lurcher and discovered he had multiple lesions on both legs and paws, which he said was “typical of kennel sores”.

The dog also had fur loss and sore gums, which “suggested it was chewing on something that has done damage”.

Mr Scott, defending, said the videos presented were “a snapshot in time”.

He said King was “not someone who intentionally didn’t care, but just someone who couldn’t cope with life and things got on top of him”.

Mr Scott also emphasised that King had voluntarily signed the dogs over to the RSPCA.

After speaking with a probation officer, they noted the 43-year-old kept apologising and said that the area “should have been cleaner and it wasn’t intentional”.

The court heard he is the sole primary carer for his wife, who has mental health problems, and is also looking after his 15-year-old son.

Last year, King, along with his son Danny King Junior was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a black poodle and failing in a duty of responsibility for the welfare of eight dogs.

King Jr was additionally charged with killing a badger in 2018.

Chairman of the bench, Adrian Atmore, told King he had “a total disregard for animals”.

He also added that King was very lucky not to go prison.

Mr Atmore said the sentence reflected the state that the animals were in, which was “a dirty, soiled, unsuitable environment, including hazards such as broken glass and an open drain”.

Sentencing | 160-day prison sentence, suspended for two years; 300 hours of unpaid work; rehabilitation activity requirement; total of £420 costs and surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for life but can appeal after 10 years.

Kent Online

Cats, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne: Adam Alkour

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CONVICTED (2022) | Adam Neil Alkour, born 18 July 1990, of 87 Grafton House, Heaton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1ST – killed a cat by slitting her throat with a razor blade.

Vile Adam Alkour admitted killing the black and white female cat named Darwin in order to hide the fact he had broken her leg.

A court heard Alkour had taken over the care of the cat after her previous owners became unable to look after her.

Darwin suffered a hellish ordeal at the hands of her sadistic owner

But in a fit of anger during a supposed mental health crisis he hit her so hard he broke her leg. Having been unable to get an appointment to take her to a vet straight away, he became worried a vet would realise what he had done so decided to kill her, two days after breaking her leg.

Alex Bousfield, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told Newcastle Crown Court : “This case concerns the physical abuse and improper killing of a black and white cat, Darwin. He broke her leg, cut her throat and buried her body to avoid detection.”

The court heard Alkour had sent a message to his friend in November 2021 saying the cat had died and the friend expressed his sympathy. In January 2022, Alkour sent a further message saying “in a fit of rage” he broke her leg and had been scared the vet would know what he had done if he took her for treatment, so he killed her.

Mr Bousfield said: “He then said he had walked six miles to bury the cat then returned the next day to bury the cat again because the ground was frozen.”

When spoken to by the RSPCA, Alkour confirmed killing Darwin and said he regretted it and “didn’t butcher her”. Mr Bousfield said: “He described grabbing a razor and cutting her throat. She was in a towel and he stayed with her until she bled out.”

The court heard he said Darwin was terrified of him and a vet said the injury would have caused extreme pain and trauma, the length of which would depend on the depth of the wound, which was unknown as Darwin’s body was never found.

Jonathan Cousins, defending, said the messages Alkour sent showed “remorse”.

He said: “He couldn’t live with the guilt of what he’d done. He said ‘I hate myself to the highest degree’.”

When questioned by the RSPCA in January 2022, Alkour fully admitted to what he had done.

The court heard Alkour deeply regrets what he did “with the deepest part of my heart”.

Mr Cousins said Alkour had grown up in the care system and had suffered neglect and abuse in his life, as well as homelessness.

As a result, he suffers from PTSD and other issues, the court was told.

Alkour, who has nine previous convictions, including for burglary and possessing cannabis with intent to supply, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and two counts of a charge relating to failing to protect an animal from pain and providing veterinary care.

Sentencing | jailed for six months and disqualified from keeping animals for life.

ChronicleLive

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

Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston: Martin Mansley and Daniel Gardner

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CONVICTED (2022) | Martin Mansley, born c. 1970, of Preesall Close, Preston PR2 1NU and Daniel Gardner, born c. 1978, of Starrgate Drive, Preston PR2 1NA – set fire to a dog pen, causing fatal injuries to a family’s pet.

Dog killers: Martin Mansley (left) and Daniel Gardner from Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Dog killers: Martin Mansley (left) and Daniel Gardner

Mansley and Gardner were jailed for a total of 19 years and 6 months for their part in an arson attack which killed a 10-year-old collie cross dog, named Patch.

Police were called to an address on Sowerby Road, near Sowerby, at around 11.30pm on September 13, 2020, to a suspicious fire.

Cruelty victim: Patch died from injuries sustained in a fire deliberately set by Martin Mansley and and Daniel Gardner from Preston, Lancashire, UK

Officers found the fire, which was started deliberately, at the front of the property, engulfing a large dog pen containing Patch.

A neighbour managed to open the kennel door to allow the dog to escape. Badly injured and in immense pain, Patch fled the scene. A search and rescue operation was launched to find him and two days later he was discovered, still alive, lying in a ditch.

Cruelty victim: Patch died from injuries sustained in a fire deliberately set by Martin Mansley and and Daniel Gardner from Preston, Lancashire, UK

Patch was rushed to a vet with severe burns down one side of his body and a damaged eye. He was also suffering from smoke inhalation and pneumonia. Due to the severity of his injuries, he couldn’t be saved and was put down a few days later.

Patch’s family suffered a second arson attempt one night after the initial attack when a bottle containing petrol was thrown at the house. Fortunately, it failed to light, and nobody was injured.

The perpetrators, Mansley and Gardner, were charges with offences related to arson but not animal cruelty.

Mansley admitted two counts of reckless arson after a week-long trial.

Cruelty victim: Patch died from injuries sustained in a fire deliberately set by Martin Mansley and and Daniel Gardner from Preston, Lancashire, UK

Gardner was found guilty of reckless arson and attempted reckless arson.

Detective Constable Mark Ryan said: “These were targeted and dangerous crimes which resulted in the death of a much loved family pet.

“The injuries suffered by the dog have caused a significant amount of trauma to the family and I thank them for their bravery in telling the court about the impact these crimes have had on them.

“Compounding this suffering, the offenders have returned and recklessly tried to set fire to the house with them in it.

“I hope this sentencing sends out a warning to people who think this irresponsible behaviour is acceptable, that they will be tracked down and prosecuted.”

Sentencing |
Custodial: Mansley was sentenced to 11 years with an extended 5 years on licence and Gardner was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months.

Lancashire Telegraph

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

Aviemore, Scottish Highlands: Michal Kulesza

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CONVICTED (2022) | Michal Kulesza, born 14 October 1976, previously of Bristol but now living in Aviemore – punched and kicked two small dogs over a two-day period of sustained abuse.

Violent and sadistic dog abuser Michal Kulesza

The RSPCA was handed 25 video clips during which Kulesza caused Jack Russells Sonia and Rocky to yelp and scream in pain. The dogs belonged to Kulesza’s landlord, who was initially unaware of the abuse.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA solicitor Lindi Meyer said: “Kulesza was not known to his landlord before this time.

“However soon after he moved in it was noticed that the dogs had started to behave differently and appeared nervous around the defendant. As a result of this, the landlord installed CCTV in the kitchen and the living room and informed the defendant that he was doing so.

“On March 29, he was able to download and view footage which showed Kulesza violently abusing his little dogs on a number of occasions – particularly singling out Rocky for the abuse.”

The landlord contacted the RSPCA and immediately told Kulesza to pack his bags and leave. RSPCA Inspector Dan Hatfield was shown two sections of CCTV footage which “showed Kulesza repeatedly punching Rocky resulting in him yelping and screaming”.

One of the clips shows the dogs in their bed in a corner, next to a fridge. Kulesza is heard raising his voice when Rocky enters and gets onto his bed.

Kulesza follows, kneels in front of the dog on the bed and raises his arm with a clenched fist. Police say he then “brings it down on Rocky with considerable force four times, before changing his swing and punching the dog a further seven times while Rocky yelps with each blow he receives”.

In another clip, he is filmed kicking Rocky, and in a different one again, Kulesza is seen aggressively pulling the dogs’ bed from under them. Further clips capture the dogs yelping, screaming, and being repeatedly struck by Kulesza.

There is no misbehaviour on the part of the dogs shown by CCTV footage, with the violence appearing to be unprovoked.

During interview, Kulesza, who pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences in court, said he was unable to explain or justify his actions, describing himself as being in a rage and state of heightened anxiety and that the dogs had done nothing to him.

He later said in court he was grieving his girlfriend who had died in a car accident five years ago in his homeland.

Solicitor Lindi Meyer added: “This was a particularly nasty case in which two helpless dogs were needlessly physically and mentally abused.

“The physical and mental suffering the dogs were subjected was blatantly unnecessary and avoidable.

“Rocky was subjected to and suffered repeatedly from acute pain and some of this would become more chronic – and the tail pull injury would have been particularly painful.

“He suffered from persistent high levels of stress and anxiety due to the physical as well as the violent verbal abuse directed at him.”

Sentencing | 42 weeks in jail, suspended for two years. 250 hours of unpaid work. 30 days of rehabilitation activity. £328 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Daily Record
BBC News
Bristol Live

Equine Abuse, horse traders, horses and ponies

Bardney, Lincolnshire: Davina Leedham

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CONVICTED (2022) | Davina Ann Leedham, born c. 1960, currently of no fixed abode – for cruelty to 13 horses.

Horse neglected by Davina Leedham, Lincolnshire. Image source: Lincolnite

Horse trader Leedham failed to explore and address the poor condition of 12 equines, and caused unnecessary suffering to a 13th horse by failing to seek appropriate professional veterinary care to address an infected wound to his leg. She also failed to meet the needs of two horses.

She appeared before Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on October 25, 2022, for sentencing after a trial – heard in her absence in July 2021 – found her guilty.

An arrest warrant without bail was issued following the trial and Leedham was arrested by police in October 2022 and held in custody before being sentenced via video link.

RSPCA inspectors and officers from Bransby Horses attended a location in Branston Fen, Bardney in July 2019, following concerns raised by the police who were in the area dealing with an unrelated matter. A vet was also in attendance.

Horse neglected by Davina Leedham, Lincolnshire. Image source: Lincolnite

There they discovered a large number of horses with many in poor body condition.

Many of those found outside were kept in areas where there was little to no grass available in any of the enclosures and there was no shelter.

Inside a barn were three penned areas housing two ponies and a horse.

A small enclosure housed a chestnut pony in poor bodily condition, with the equine’s spine and pelvis clearly visible and hooves overgrown. The pen was very small and was constructed from a combination of metal gates and wooden pallets, measuring approximately 8ft by ft.

Further into the barn was a slightly larger enclosure with fencing approximately 6-7ft high, giving the pen the appearance of a cage.

Horse neglected by Davina Leedham, Lincolnshire. Image source: Lincolnite

A bay coloured horse in poor bodily condition with ribs, spine and pelvis clearly visible was housed in this pen. This horse stood in the same position throughout, weaving his head from side to side. His hooves were also overgrown.

One horse had an untreated wound on his right quarter.

One colt was in discomfort and pain due to persistent lameness. Very sadly, an independent vet advised he should be put to sleep on welfare grounds.

In mitigation the defendant said that she had failed to attend the trial as her mother had been ill. She claimed that the horse with the leg wound had been under vet treatment.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Kate Burris said: “The conditions which these horses had been kept in were unacceptable and so many of them were in such poor bodily condition with their ribs visible and overgrown hooves – it was heartbreaking to see.

“We are so very grateful to Bransby Horses for taking on such a large number of horses and I am so pleased that they have all thrived since being in their care.”

Rachel Jenkinson, external welfare manager at Bransby Horses said: “Bransby Horses were able to provide the specialist care and attention these horses needed thanks to the fantastic support we receive from the public and we thank them unreservedly – it doesn’t bear thinking what would have happened were it not for charities like us and the RSPCA.

“Following a long road to recovery 14 of the horses we took in that day have recovered well but the trauma they endured cannot be ignored.”

Sentencing | 20 weeks’ immediate custody; £500 costs. Banned from keeping all animals for 10 years.

The Lincolnite

Dogs

Kirkcaldy, Fife: Siobhan Wallace

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CONVICTED (2022) | Siobhan Wallace, born 16 August 1986, of Valley Gardens, Kirkcaldy KY2 5UD – failed to get help for her dog when she had a weeping infection and claws so long they grew over her paw pads.

Convicted dog abuser Siobhan Wallace from Kirkcaldy, Fife. Picture: Facebook

Five-year-old Shih Tzu Daisy was removed from Siobhan Wallace’s care after SSPCA officers found her with severely overgrown fur, discharge coming from an ear and overgrown nails. Her coat was dry and flaky and pus was pouring from her ears, which were badly inflamed.

When officers asked Wallace if Daisy had received any medical help, she admitted she hadn’t attended a vet in seven months and blamed Covid-19.

The dog was removed and urgently taken to a local vet.

On examination, she was found to have an infection in both ears. She also had a 2.5cm mass-like lesion in her mouth which caused discomfort when touched.

Her nails were so long they had to be removed using forceps, with some wounds on her paws also infected.

In court, Wallace pleaded guilty to failing to provide medical care for her dog.

Convicted dog abuser Siobhan Wallace from Kirkcaldy, Fife. Picture: Facebook

Solicitor David Cranston, defending, said Wallace had saved the dog from her unscrupulous former owners.

“The dog had not been well-loved by its previous owners.

“It was kept outside and seems to have been used for breeding – this appears to have been quite lucrative.

“But having reached the end of her purpose the owners made her (Wallace) aware they were going to get rid of it and that would not have been in the most humane way.”

He said the dog was so terrified by her previous treatment, a grooming salon was unable to treat her on a one-to-one basis and the two-to-one ratio needed was forbidden by lockdown laws.

Mr Cranston added Wallace had taken steps to do right by the dog, stating: “She could have tied it to a tree and made it someone else’s problem but realising she had a problem, she contacted the SSPCA.”

Siobhan Wallace pictured during her court appearance. Source: The Courier

Sheriff Alison McKay said she was concerned by the amount of time it took Wallace to seek help from the Scottish SPCA.

However, she stopped short of issuing an animal banning order, stating it was apparent Wallace is now more aware of the expense of keeping a dog.

Speaking about the case, Scottish SPCA inspector Stephanie Ross admitted there was disappointment Wallace had not received a harsher punishment.

She said: “We are disappointed that Wallace hasn’t received a disqualification order but pleased she received a fine and that Daisy has gone on to find a loving new home where she will be cared for in the proper manner.

She added : “It would have been obvious that Daisy was uncomfortable and we would expect any reasonable owner to have recognised this and sought veterinary treatment sooner.”

Sentencing | £375 fine and a £20 victim surcharge.

Daily Record