#MostEvil | repeat offender Michael Philip Nesbitt, born c. 1989, and Rebecca Ward, born c. 1996, of 9 Main Street East, Menstrie FK11 7BH – showed total disregard for the well-being of a dog found almost starved to death at their home.
Career criminal Nesbitt, who has a previous conviction for dog cruelty, and his partner Ward neglected their pet dog, Zeg, so badly over a 10-month period he lost fur and developed sores on his body.
The couple, who have a young baby, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Zeg at an address in McLachlan Street, Stenhousemuir, Larbert, between June 11, 2020 and April 24, 2021.
The charges stated they failed to provide him with appropriate care or adequate nutrition until the point he became emaciated and developed multiple pressure sores, hair loss and chronic skin damage to his tail.
The court heard that given proper care Zeg had recovered from his ordeal.
Following the conclusion of the case, Scottish SPCA inspector, Andrew Gray, said, “On April 12, 2021, we responded to a concern for a dog that was described as extremely thin with protruding bones.
“We attempted to visit and call a few times but were unable to reach the owners. However, I could see a dog in a cage through the kitchen window. Only the dog’s head was visible and I couldn’t determine body condition or if provisions were available for the dog.
“On April 24, 2021, we visited the property again and were met by Ward. A dog matching the description we’d received appeared at the door in a very thin state with staining on his legs and underside.
“We took Zeg, a five to six-year old white and brindle Staffordshire bull terrier, to be examined by a vet.
“The vet found Zeg to be significantly underweight at just 19.8kg. A healthy weight for this size and breed of dog is 25 to 30kg. Zeg was also suffering from chronic muscle wastage over his head, legs and body.
“His ribs were clearly visible through his skin and he had pressure sores over his joints. These lesions were thickened which suggest laying on hard surfaces for long periods of time.
“The hair loss and skin damage on his tail indicated long-term caging in a small environment. There were pressure sores which were close to ulcerating over his pelvic area due to lack of muscle and fat coverage to protect the skin.
“When Zeg was fed, he ate ravenously with no difficulty swallowing. The vet concluded that there was no clinical reason to explain why Zeg was so underweight. Sadly, his condition suggests months of chronic malnutrition and inappropriate housing which caused him unnecessary suffering.
“Neither Nesbitt nor Ward have responded to repeated attempts to contact them. In the year that Zeg has been in our care they have also never enquired about how he is doing.
“We’re glad that Zeg is out of the situation that caused him so much suffering and we’re pleased that Nesbitt and Ward have been given lengthy bans on owning animals. Their sentencing means that Zeg can now start looking for his forever home.”
Sentencing |
Nesbitt: 12-month community payback order with 200 hours of unpaid work. 10-year ban.
Ward: ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work within 12 months. Banned from owning an animal for five years.
Additional Information
In 2008 Nesbitt, who’s originally from Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, was fined £150 and given a five-year ban after starving three puppies to death and dumping their bodies in a shoebox.
The court heard how officers from the Scottish SPCA had visited Nesbitt after a neighbour reported him walking a thin dog.
They found that the bitch, who had just given birth, was significantly underweight and told Nesbitt to make sure he fed her more.
But less than a month later, another call was made from a concerned neighbour over a foul smell coming from Nesbitt’s flat.
When officers entered the Clovenstone Gardens home, they found four puppies and their mother locked in a cage surrounded by their own mess.
They also discovered that three other pups had died and their bodies were lying in a shoebox in the hallway.
Officers immediately took the mother and her surviving puppies into care. As they drove away with the animals, Nesbitt threatened to kill himself.
Defence solicitor Victoria Good, for Nesbitt, said her client had been “deeply distressed” about what had happened.
She said Nesbitt, who admitted neglecting the animals, had been unable to care for the dogs after suffering from severe depression when his relationship broke down.
Ms Good added: “He and his girlfriend bought the dogs together, when she left she took one of the dogs and he gave up.
“He knew they were there and he had to take care of them but he just couldn’t get up out of bed. He is deeply distressed about what happened to the dogs.”
