CONVICTED (2023) | former head gamekeeper David John Scott, born c. 1989, of Bridgehaugh, Dufftown, Keith AB55 4DS – kept 14 dogs in appalling conditions at the home he shared with wife Gillian Elizabeth Scott.

Scott admitted a catalogue of animal welfare offences in relation to 14 neglected dogs.

The Crown accepted a not guilty plea from his wife, Gillian Scott.

The court heard Scott had been head gamekeeper at Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estates until the raid on his home in September 2022.

Fiscal depute Karen Poke said the Scottish SPCA’s special investigation unit had received a tip-off about the welfare of animals being kept by the Scotts during August 2022 and attended the scene with police.

There they found three “wet, extremely dirty” and “totally unacceptable” kennel blocks, each without any sleeping areas for the dogs.

Ms Poke said: “There was a strong smell of faeces and urine abundant throughout the kennels,

“There were no dry areas for the dogs to lie down and no evidence of any dog food.”

The officers found a barrel full of rotten meat and fish it was suggested this is what the dogs were being fed.

All 14 dogs were removed to the care of the SSPCA and were said to have been “suffering and in distress”.

Scott admitted causing unnecessary suffering and pain to dogs by not seeking veterinary treatment or providing them with essential care.

As part of a plea bargain, a not guilty plea to a charge that Scott trained a male black and tan dog called Boysie to fight and supplied videos of his brawls was accepted by the Crown.

The dog-fights were said to have taken place at the home address.

Another offence, whilst at Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estate on July 13 2022, of snaring a fox and letting his dog attack it, was also dropped.

The 14 neglected dogs included:

• Ellie, a female harrier-type dog, who suffered an ear mite infection for weeks without getting treatment.
• Babatoots, a female spaniel who also had infected ears and gums for weeks without medical help.
• Toots, another female spaniel who suffered from infections of the ears and gums.
• Sadie, a female spaniel who had chronic ear infections and conjunctivitis.

Defence counsel Callum Anderson said the couple had been going through a “difficult period” in their lives at the time of the police raid.
He said Scott had accepted the conditions were “awful” and said the kennels had become so wet due to a “torrential storm” the night before.

Mr Anderson said Mrs Scott still owns two dogs as family pets and said the lapse was due to “dramatic circumstances”, including the death of her father and a medical issue around the date of the offences.

“They accept they were not dealing with matters at that time. That is the reason why veterinary treatment was neglected,” he said.

Scott had lost his position as head gamekeeper after the raid and had been “demoted sideways”, whilst still earning a salary of £40,000 plus accommodation worth £15,000 per annum.

“He recognises it was not acceptable and lessons have been learned,” Mr Anderson said.

On sentencing, Sheriff Robert McDonald said Scott had “failed to keep a grip” on his animals, adding: “No matter how bad your life is, your animals still need looking after.

“The dogs don’t care. If things are tough, you should make arrangements for them.

“I am conscious of your employment and that you may be around dogs when out on a shoot. I have the power to impose a custodial sentence or a £20,000 fine.

“However, I have taken this into account and take a serious view and will impose a fine.”

Sentencing | fined £1,275. Banned from owning more than two dogs for just three years (expires September 2026).

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