CONVICTED (2023) | John Stewart, born c. 1960, and wife Cynthia Stewart born c. 1961, of Chapelton of Menmuir, near Edzell, Brechin DD9 7QN – subjected a dog and two cats to extreme neglect.
John and Cynthia Stewart were given a 10-year ban on keeping animals after all three of their pets were put to sleep on humane grounds.
The remorseless couple offered no mitigation as they were sentenced for shocking cruelty to a 17-year old border collie named Ben and cats Ruff and Tumble, aged seven.
The stricken animals were rushed to a vet after being found in a state of suffering at the pair’s rural home by shocked Scottish SPCA investigators.
Collie Ben was severely emaciated. He had a cut on his leg so deep that the bone was visible, and was riddled with fleas. He was suffering from multiple skin lesions likely to have resulted from itching. He had severe alopecia and little muscle. His claws were overgrown with some curling painfully into his pads.
Ben’s body condition was given a score of 1/5.
Tumble was given a body condition score of 2/5. He was also suffering alopecia and skin excoriations. He had flea dirt throughout his coat and a heart murmur was detected.
He was given an ultrasound due to a bladder issue which had caused him to be pot-bellied. The cat was unable to fully empty his bladder.
The vet said Tumble’s flea infestation should have been treated and must have been bothering the cat for at least a fortnight.
Ruff had similar skin and flea issues.
After the vet’s analysis, it was agreed Ben and Tumble would be immediately euthanised.
Post mortems concluded Ben’s condition would have been “easily identifiable” to anyone who saw him.
An ulcer found on his right hip was a result of lying on a hard surface for a long period and would have taken days to weeks to develop.
Ben would have suffered from distress for days to weeks and from arthritis for months to years.
Sentencing the Stewarts Sheriff Krista Johnston said: “These matters are very serious and I take them very seriously.
“This was a prolonged, appalling, offensive, avoidable way to treat these animals, supposedly in your care.
“It’s inconceivable you didn’t notice.
“It appears to me you were cruel and neglectful.
“You’ve shown no remorse, no insight into the ways these animals were treated and no realisation of the pain and suffering they must have undergone.”
Speaking afterwards Scottish SPCA Inspector Karen Cooper, said: “We are pleased that the Stewarts received a ban and supervision order, given the severity of neglect that Ben, Ruff and Tumble experienced.
“Their sheer disregard for the welfare of their animals was shocking.
“Although Ruff was in a slightly better condition than Ben and Tumble, upon being transferred to one of our centres for further care and attention it was discovered that he had a cancerous tumour.
“The difficult decision was therefore made to put him to sleep on veterinary advice.”
Sentencing | 200 hours of unpaid work each, reduced from the maximum community sentence of 300 hours due to the timing of their guilty pleas; 18 months of supervision. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Another Mentally Disturbed Scum Pair.
They won’t have no luck for what they have done.
Typical impaired Angus couple..Hope the never had kids.🤔🐈❤️🐕