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.
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).
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.”
Such a sad case, the Animal had to be Euthanized.
The importance of Vet Treatment when needed is a must, before Health Conditions spiral out of control.