CONVICTED (2023) | Natalia Piszczyk, born 14 September 2002, of Carnie Place, Buckie AB56 1EN – starved a dog to death.

Piszczyk was banned from keeping any type of animal for the next five years following the death of black-and-tan German Shepherd, Berlin, who was just nine months old.

On November 15, 2021, Piszczyk rang a veterinary surgery to say her dog had died, and asked for him to be picked up and cremated.

Two people went round the next day to Piszczyk’s home at Carnie Place, Buckie. She opened the door and they saw that Berlin had been placed on a duvet in the front porch.

The court was told that the property was strewn with rubbish, with some items of litter, including a cigarette packet, next to and underneath the dog.

The dog was described as being emaciated with sunken eye sockets.

The vet practice alerted the Scottish SPCA and senior inspector, Lesley Crockett, attended the surgery.

She said: “On 16 November 2021 I received a call via our animal helpline regarding a dead dog found in an emaciated condition that had been brought into a veterinary surgery in Buckie. I attended the surgery that same day and was shown the dog, a German Shepherd dog called Berlin.

“The dog was in an emaciated condition and I could feel all his ribs and pelvic bones – he was one of the thinnest dogs I have seen. His eyes were sunken into his head and there was reddish staining on his paws.

“On 17 November 2021 I visited Berlin’s owner’s address but there was no reply so I left a card asking the owner, Natalia Piszczyk, to get in touch. I contacted her by email on 29 November 2021 to arrange an interview under caution about Berlin due to concerns over his poor condition. Arrangements were made by email to meet on 14 December 2021 at the premises.

“I received the final post-mortem report on 29 November 2021 showing that the cause of death was inhalational pneumonia. It concluded that the respiratory disease that the dog was suffering from would have been obvious to the person caring for him and that veterinary advice should have been sought. The pneumonia is likely to have been present for at least 48 hours and possibly several days. It is severe enough that the dog would have shown clinical signs of respiratory compromise.”

The post-mortem also revealed Berlin weighed only 18kg (2st 11 lbs). The usual weight for a male Alsatian is between 30 and 40kg.

Inspector Crockett continued: “On 14 December 2021 we met Natalia Piszczyk at her property. The property smelt strongly of dog urine and faeces and the carpet in the living room was visibly badly stained.

“The accused stated that sometimes Berlin didn’t eat his food so she soaked it with water but she did not see anything wrong with him.

“Berlin was subjected to unnecessary suffering and his subsequent respiratory failure caused him pain and distress that ultimately led to his death.”

Defence solicitor Martin O’Neill said his client had been homeless before she and Berlin came to live at Carnie Place.

He added: “At the time she wasn’t really capable of looking after herself, let alone anybody or anything else.

“She did have some concerns for the dog, but as he was still taking water, going for walks and playing, she thought he was just experiencing some temporary difficulties.

“Her regret had been quite clear. She’s also not someone who’s going to be coming before the court for some other matter.

“This is something that will stay with her for the rest of her days.”

Piszczyk pleaded guilty to a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Talking directly to her, Sheriff Robert McDonald said: “Despite your inexperience it should have been obvious that your dog needed to go to a vet long before it died.

“Although you’re a first time offender I have to take into account the serious of the offence, as well as the seriousness with which society regards it.”

Sentencing | 90 hours of unpaid work; six month supervision order. Five-year ban on owning any animal (expires July 2028).

Northern Scot
Scottish SPCA