#MostEvil | Declan Milne, born 16 December 1999, of 129 Crewe Crescent, Pilton, Edinburgh EH5 2JN – stabbed a labrador 14 times with scissors.
Milne used his partner’s nail scissors to strike her four-year-old black Labrador, Max, on the head, cheek, and thighs.
He carried out the “appalling attack” on July 22, 2021.
Max belonged to the parents of Milne’s girlfriend but the couple were looking after him while they were on break.
Following the attack, Milne’s girlfriend found Max cowering in fear with faeces all over the floor and on his tail.
She questioned Milne who denied any wrongdoing but when she discovered a pair of nail scissors was missing from her set, she realised that they had what looked like black dog hair on them.
Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona Thorburn was alerted to the incident after a vet who treated Max was concerned by the number of injuries he had across his body.
The vet recognised these wounds were non-accidental and had immediate concerns for Max’s welfare so they contacted the animal helpline.
The scissors were taken for forensic analysis and dog blood and DNA was found on them.
Milne was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 under Section 19 1 (a) and (b) for causing Max unnecessary suffering by stabbing him with nail scissors multiple times.
Speaking about the case Inspector Thorburn said, “After Milne’s girlfriend discovered Max with the fresh injuries, she immediately phoned her family who returned from their weekend away. The family were incredibly concerned and took Max straight to the vet where he received prompt treatment for his wounds.
“This has been an incredibly distressing time for Max and his owners. The family trusted Milne to look after their pet and unbeknownst to them, Milne caused Max a great deal of stress and pain. The suffering to Max is not just physical but would have caused him immense mental anguish too.
“The puncture wounds were on Max’s head, cheek, his thighs and muzzle. The vet determined that the injuries were caused by repeated trauma with a sharp object. A second vet was consulted who surmised that it was beyond any reasonable doubt that Max had sustained those injuries by deliberate violent means.
“We are glad that Milne pled guilty and admitted to this appalling crime.
“We don’t believe this was the first time that Max was caused to suffer at the hands of Milne.
“What we can take away from this is that Milne was caught when he was so that Max did not have to continue to suffer.
“We are pleased to say that Max recovered well from his wounds no doubt helped by being surrounded by his loving family.
“The Sheriff stated in court that he was ‘nauseated by the cruelty’ Milne had shown towards Max.
“We are pleased that Milne admitted his guilt in this case and that he has been handed this sentence. The ban will ensure no other animals will suffer at his hands like Max did.
“We would like to thank Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) who carried out the DNA testing.”
Milne was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 under Section 19 1 (a) and (b) for causing Max unnecessary suffering by stabbing him with nail scissors multiple times.
Sentencing: four-month restriction of liberty order; 200-hour community payback order. Ten-year ban on owning animals.
The is a Mentally Disturbed Individual.
Who is not safe around anything.
What a sad young man.
He should have went to a mental facility until he was well and then jail.