Tag Archives: probation / supervision order

Equine Abuse, horse traders, horses and ponies, riding stables, stud farms and livery yards, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes

Browney, County Durham: Pamela Brown

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CONVICTED (2024) | serial animal abuser Pamela Mary Brown, born 7 November 1954, of 16 Browney Lane, Browney, Durham DH7 8HT – for the neglect of two horses.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.

Pamela Brown, a traveller and repeat offender*, has been given an 11-week curfew for causing unnecessary suffering to horses Rosealee and Topsy between January and May 2023..

She pleaded guilty to ineffective equine dentistry care, inadequate investigation, or addressing of the horses’ underweight and poor bodily conditions.

She was ordered to comply with curfew from 9pm to 7am daily at her caravan.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.

The order lasts until May 21, 2024, includes electronic monitoring, and allows three metres of movement for toilet visits.

She is also disqualified from dealing with horses for ten years and must pay a £114 victim services surcharge and £300 in costs, at £20 per month starting April 3.

Northern Echo

*In February 2015 Pamela Brown was given an 18-month supervision order and five-year ban on keeping horses for neglecting one equine so severely he had to be immediately destroyed.

The unnamed horse, who was kept in a field with 12 others in Langley Moor, Durham, was underweight with an overgrown and deformed hoof. Other horses in the herd had skin diseases and lice.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Pictured with co-defendant Louise Nicholson aka Louise Doherty. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.
Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown with daughter Louise Nicholson, aka Louise Doherty, co-defendant in the 2015 RSPCA prosecution and co-owner with husband Patrick Doherty of Doherty Stud Yard.

Speaking about the horse that was euthanised, Kevin Campbell for the RSPCA said the animal had “poor body condition .. poor feet, poor living environment and effectively it is difficult to see anything worse that could have been done to to the horse”.

Brown’s co-accused, daughter Louise Nicholson aka Louise Doherty or NickyLouise Dior Doherty, born October 1988, and also of 16 Browney Lane, was cleared of five charges of failing to ensure an animal’s welfare, relating to a pony called Tiny and another unnamed horse.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.

In mitigation for Pamela Brown, solicitor David Ward described her as “a very robust lady who is the matriarch …”

He added that his client “has some difficulty in reading and writing as they all seem to do, but it is unlikely that this lady will be involved in any further offending“.

In addition to the supervision order and five-year ban, Brown was ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Northern Echo

Additional Information

Pamela Brown’s daughter Louise Nicholson/Louise Doherty is co-director with husband Patrick Doherty aka Par Doherty of Doherty Stud Yard Ltd.

Bestiality / Zoophilia, Dogs, Equine Abuse, Multiple Species

Prestonpans, East Lothian: Scott Fleming

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CONVICTED (2023) | Scott Fleming, born c. 1996, of Redburn Road, Prestonpans EH32 9NA – downloaded depraved bestiality videos.

Depraved Scott Fleming from Prestonpans, East Lothian, downloaded animal rape videos
Cybercrime officers found a horror collection of videos on Scott Fleming’s phone showing a horse, a pig and a dog being raped by adult men and women

Fleming was found to have downloaded the films to his mobile phone when police officers raided his home in Prestonpans on May 10, 2021.

Prosecutor Debbie King told the court that police arrived at the home Fleming shared with older brother Gordon Fleming with a search warrant.

Ms King said that officers from the National Child Abuse Unit searched the property and seized electrical equipment including a phone, a laptop and an external hard drive.

Four MP4 videos were discovered on the mobile device showing “sexual acts between an adult female and a horse, a pig and an adult male and a dog”.

Ms King added that one film also featured “an adult female and an adult male inserting a live moving drill into another man’s penis”.

Depraved Scott Fleming from Prestonpans, East Lothian, downloaded animal rape videos

Fleming pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic material depicting bestiality but walked free from court with a community order. He also escaped being placed on the sex offenders register.

His brother Gordon Fleming, born c. 1994, also appeared in the dock accused of possessing child sex abuse images but he had his plea of not guilty accepted by the Crown.

Sentencing | nine month supervision order; 162 hours of unpaid work in the community.

EdinburghLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Brading, Isle of Wight: Stuart Squibb

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CONVICTED (2023) | Stuart Squibb, born 22 August 1996, of Lower Furlongs, Brading, Sandown PO36 0EA – allowed an elderly dog to become badly emaciated and lame, leading to him being put down.

Convicted animal abuser Stuart Squibb from Brading, Isle of Wight
Stuart Squibb, a father of two, showed no remorse for his despicable mistreatment of his late mother’s elderly pet dog

Squibb had denied ill-treatment of the 11-year-old whippet, Weasel, up until the day before he was due to stand trial.

Ultimately he admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between November 14, 2022, and January 14 2023.

On New Year’s Day, a dog walker was so shocked by Weasel’s poor condition, video was taken and shared with the RSPCA.

The RSPCA launched an investigation, with Squibb ignoring their phone calls and officer visits.

Weasel

Eventually, an investigator was let in and found Weasel in poor health and in an emaciated condition, with untreated osteoarthritis. He also had a deformed lower limb, which had left him unable to walk properly for six to eight months.

Weasel had not received vital veterinary care for 18 months and was half the weight he should have been, said Sarah Wheadon, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court.

Weasel had an extremely poor quality of life, and was put down, said Mrs Wheadon.

Convicted animal abuser Stuart Squibb from Brading, Isle of Wight

Squibb, who failed to attend an RSPCA interview, went on to deny ill treatment charges on May 16, 2023, and a trial was set for August 16.

But he reappeared the day before trial, doing a U-turn on his pleas.

Mrs Wheadon said Squibb deliberately disregarded Weasel’s welfare, failed to co-operate with investigators and showed no remorse.

For father-of-two Squibb, Jim Osborne said his client inherited Weasel from his late mother.

Squibb claimed he took Weasel to a vet after being concerned about the dog’s mobility and appetite, but said the vet told him nothing was wrong; the RSPCA argued this was untrue.

Mr Osborne said Squibb then lost his job and suffered financial hardship, but claimed he always ensured Weasel was fed.

“He is deeply remorseful and understands what he did was wrong.”

Presiding magistrate David King said: “This is a terrible story of a dog suffering prolonged neglect.”

Sentencing | one year’s probation with 15 rehabilitation sessions and 80 hours of unpaid work; £140 surcharge. He was disqualified from having anything to do with animals for five years (expires September 2028). The RSPCA’s costs are to be paid from the public purse.

Isle of Wight County Press

Additional Information

According to a source, Squibb was in the habit of leaving Weasel alone and unattended in the garden for several days at a time while he went away.

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Nairn, Highland: Brian Farmer

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CONVICTED (2023) | Brian John Farmer, born c. 1999, of 16 Church Street, Nairn IV12 4AP – left a dog to starve to death in an abandoned property.

Brian Farmer's dog chewed anything that was in the house in Church Street in Nairn including a sofa, its foam filling and food tins in a vain battle to survive
Brian Farmer’s dog chewed anything that was in the house in Church Street in Nairn including a sofa, its foam filling and food tins in a vain battle to survive. Photo credit: Press & Journal

Farmer pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an 18-month-old American bully/Staffy crossbreed called Duke by failing to provide him with access to food or water whereby he starved to death. He also admitted abandoning the dog.

Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told the court that industrial cleaners appointed by Highland Council to attend the abandoned property discovered the dog’s skeletal and decomposing remains.

The Scottish SPCA were contacted and arranged to pick up the dog from the locus. SSPCA chief inspector Iain Allan described the scene of horror that confronted the team.

He said: “On entering, the first thing we noticed was the terrible state of the property, which was filthy with a strong, foul-smelling odour.

“There was a lot of rubbish covering the floor consisting of empty food packets, empty chewed food tins, chewed foam from the sofa and dog faeces. The room was cold as there had been no heating on within the premises for some time.

“We were shocked to see the emaciated body of a large dog in the kitchen/living room area.

“It was obvious from the state of decay of the carcass that the dog had been dead for some time. The dog was lying stretched out on the linoleum floor in front of the chewed up sofa.

“We were able to identify the dog as Duke, a one-and-a-half-year-old American XL bully cross Staffordshire bull terrier type dog.”

Duke’s body was taken for a post mortem where the vet determined the cause of death as severe malnutrition. Weighing just 14 kilograms, his skeleton protruded through his skin and his head was described as appearing too big for his body.

Decomposition suggested he had been dead for several weeks.

Defence solicitor David Patterson said that Duke had been left in his client’s care but claimed he didn’t own the dog.

In mitigation he described Farmer’s life as “challenging” adding that “a lack of education and social development” had caused him to suffer from mental health issues.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank told Farmer that due to his personal circumstances combined with the fact that he was under 25 and had never been in prison before, he enjoyed the protection of the law if there was an alternative to custody. Instead he imposed a community sentence.

Sentencing | community sentence of 250 hours of unpaid work; two years of social work supervision. Lifetime ban on ever keeping an animal.

Inverness Courier
Press & Journal
Scottish SPCA

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Charleston, City of Dundee: David Dye

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CONVICTED | David Dye, born 30 August 1990, of Dunholm Road, Charleston, Dundee DD2 -neglected his two dogs until one fatally attacked the other.

Animal abuser David Dye from Dundee, Scotland, UK. Picture: Facebook

Elderly Shih-Tzu Harley was found dead in a squalid, blood-soaked flat after being savaged by a young bull terrier called Stella.

Harley and Stella
Stella attacked and killed Shih Tzu Harley after the dogs were left to starve by their owner David Dye

Dye had Stella taken away to be rehomed under a deprivation order.

Fiscal depute Gavin Burton told Dundee Sheriff Court: “Police were called about concerns for children.

“A dog could be heard barking but there were no signs of persons within.

“They observed a bull terrier who was alive and a deceased Shih Tzu lying on the floor.

“There was no-one in. The property was in a poor state of repair.

“There was bloodstaining throughout.

“There was no food or water for the dogs.

“It smelled of urine, suggesting they had been left for a long period of time.

“The bull terrier was taken away. It was scared of males.

“Its nails were overgrown and its coat was dirty and matted.

“Door to door enquiries found there were concerns that the dogs had been neglected.”

Animal abuser David Dye from Dundee, Scotland, UK. Picture: Facebook

Dye admitted failing to provide a suitable environment or enough separation between his dogs.

He admitted failing to protect Harley from injury and as a result, the defenceless Shih Tzu sustained multiple puncture wounds and died.

Dye also admitted breaking into his mother’s house on May 4 2022 and stealing a smart watch and a games console.

Sentencing | 180 hours of unpaid work; 18-month supervision order. Disqualified from having a dog for two years.

The Courier

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Multiple Species, rabbits, Serial Animal Abusers, Small Furries

Denny, Falkirk: Jackson Aitken

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CONVICTED (2023) | Jackson Lewis Aitken, born c. 2000, of 210 Braes View, Denny, Falkirk FK6 5NF: for the neglect of multiple animals found suffering and in pain at his filthy home.

Animal abuser Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook
Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, was already well-known to the SSPCA

Aitken plead guilty to cruelty charges in relation to mice, a hamster, a rabbit and a dog.

He admitted failing to provide vet treatment for a mouse named Miko and failing to provide adequate hydration and a clean environment for a hamster named Spirit, a rabbit, a number of mice and his dog, Digger. He also pleaded guilty to failing to allow Digger adequate room to exercise.

Digger was neglected by Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook
Aitken’s dog Digger was kept in a tiny cage with dirty water for drinking

Scottish SPCA inspector, Andrew Gray, said, “We had attended Jackson Aitken’s address on two prior occasions in June 2019 and January 2022.

On both occasions we provided Aitken with advice and support on how to care for his animals but had no immediate concerns for their welfare.

“However, on 29 July 2022 we then received another call regarding Jackson Aitken from a member of the public who was concerned his animals were being left alone for days at a time.

“We attended the property but no one was home and we could not hear or see any animals. We continued to try to make contact with Aitken over the coming days but we were unsuccessful.

Animal abuser Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook

“On 1 August when we attended a small black dog could be seen through the letterbox. The dog was in a crate. On subsequent visits on 2 and 3 August the dog was still in the crate and we became concerned for the animal’s welfare. Contact was then made with the local housing officer to gain access to the premises.

“On entering the property we found it was cluttered with rubbish and hazardous materials. Digger, a small black and white terrier type dog, was still in the small cage. He had a pillow and a small amount of dirty water.

“Upstairs we found a white and tan hamster, named Sprit, who was very lethargic and cold to the touch, as well as a rabbit and three mice. While two of the mice were in reasonable condition, one male mouse, named Miko, had a large open wound on his side.

“All of the cages for the animals were dirty and none of them had been provided with any food or water.

“Due to immediate concerns for the welfare of the animals, we removed them from the property and took them to be examined by a vet.

“The wound on Miko’s side was found to be an abscess, secondary to a ruptured tumour, and had likely been causing the mouse pain for several weeks, if not months. He was euthanised on veterinary advice to prevent any further suffering.

Animal abuser Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook

“Spirit the hamster was severely dehydrated, which the vet estimated would have taken at least a week without water, if not longer. Sadly, despite the best efforts of the team at our animal rescue and rehoming centre, Spirit continued to suffer complications from dehydration and had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice.

“Aitken met with us on one subsequent visit to the property but all further attempts to contact him have failed to be met with any response.

“We are glad Aitken received a ban and hope he will seriously consider his ability to care for any animal in future.”

Sentencing | three-year supervision order and eight-month restriction of liberty order; 15-year ban on owning animals.

Scottish SPCA News

Dogs, hunting with dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes

Kinross, Perth and Kinross: Jay Kenny

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder and wildlife persecutor Jay John William Kenny, born 28 April 1983, of 2 Fruix, Kinross KY13 0LA but with links to Cowdenbeath, Fife – kept seven dogs in filthy makeshift kennels on a plot of land in Kelty, Fife.

Backyard breeder, wildlife killer, dog abuser Jay Kenny from Kinross, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Photo: Facebook

Kenny, who is well-known to the Scottish SPCA, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to all seven dogs by failing to provide a suitable environment and failing to seek veterinary treatment for a lurcher named Gus.

Scottish SPCA inspector, Stephanie Ross, said, “We’d had numerous dealings with [Kenny] since 2018 due to reports of dogs being kept in poor conditions and his known associations with various individuals who we had previously prosecuted for animal fighting.

“On 19 December we received a call from officers at Police Scotland. They had attended the plot of land belonging to Kenny on an unrelated matter and become immediately concerned for the welfare of the animals due to the conditions they were being kept in.

“On 20 December we attended the premises and found that the conditions were deplorable. The ground was boggy and littered with hazardous material. One dog had taken refuge on top of their wooden kennel and almost resembled a dog stranded on an island.

Backyard breeder, wildlife killer, dog abuser Jay Kenny from Kinross, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Photo: Facebook
Kenny with on/off partner Paisley Bratchie

“All of the areas the dogs were being kept in were heavily soiled with faeces and stank of ammonia. What little straw they had for bedding was foul and sodden with urine. Six of the seven dogs were underweight and many had visible wounds. Most did not even have access to clean drinking water.

“There were two German shepherds and both dogs’ coats were thick with muck and filth. One of the shepherds was attached to a three metre chain. The ground surrounding the dog’s kennel was worn away in a circular shape, suggesting the dog had been here for some time and going round and round in circles. There was also hazardous material like scrap metal and loose nails lying around which could have caused significant damage to the dog.

“A tan and white lurcher named Gus was in particularly poor condition.

“We had concerns for all of the animals’ welfare and immediately removed them from the premises. Gus was taken for veterinary treatment and the others were transported to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres.

Backyard breeder, wildlife killer, dog abuser Jay Kenny from Kinross, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Photo: Facebook

“On veterinary examination, Gus was found to be emaciated and had such a heavy flea burden that they could be seen crawling in his fur. He had alopecia, a bacterial skin infection and several wounds in various stages of healing. There was also a wound to the tip of his tail where the skin had become thickened and leathery. The wounds were likely self-inflicted due to how uncomfortable and itchy the fleas were making him.

“The vet estimated it would have taken a minimum of three to five months for him to develop alopecia and for his tail tip to become hardened.

“Gus also had several fractured teeth, with receding and infected gums which would have been incredibly painful. The vet estimated this would have progressed over six to 12 months.

“The lack of basic care and disregard for animal welfare in this case was disgusting. On the day the dogs were seized the temperatures had dropped below freezing. Gus was so severely underweight he would have struggled to maintain any kind of body heat in those conditions.

“All of the dogs recovered well in our care and gained weight. Sadly, Gus had to have his tail amputated due to the severity of the untreated wound at the tip.

Sentencing | 12-month community payback order of 150 hours; 12-month supervision order. 11-year ban on owning or keeping animals.

Scottish SPCA News

Additional Information

In December 2020 the heartbroken owner of a cockapoo puppy purchased from prolific dog breeder Jay Kenny took to Facebook to warn others not to buy from him.

Tucker, who was bred by Jay Kenny, was put to sleep a few days after being diagnosed with parvovirus

The owner wrote that they had to take the puppy, Tucker, to a vet four days after bringing him home when he became severely unwell with sickness and diarrhoea.

The vet vet ran a test and confirmed that Tucker had parvovirus, a lethal condition for dogs.

The owner contacted Kenny, who denied there was anything wrong with the puppy. He refused to help with vet costs arguing that it was the owner’s decision to take the puppy to the vet. He agreed to refund the money paid for the puppy.

Tragically little Tucker failed to recover and was put to sleep.

The owner contacted Kenny again who demanded proof that Tucker had been euthanised. The owner provided this but Kenny went quiet and failed to answer calls and messages. No refund was ever forthcoming.

animal fighting / baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Lifers, Snaring and Trapping, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Newmains, North Lanarkshire: Grant and David Campbell

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CONVICTED (2023) | hillbilly brothers Grant Stuart Campbell and David Campbell of 74 Woodside Crescent, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 9NA – for appalling cruelty to multiple dogs in their care.

Animal abuser Grant Campbell from Newmains, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Image: Daily Record.
Grant Campbell received an indefinite ban on owning animals while David Campbell is only disqualified for five years.
Photo: Daily Record

Self-styled ‘rat-catcher‘ Grant Campbell pleaded guilty to seven charges of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide veterinary treatment for various conditions and injuries affecting six dogs in his care, including a broken leg.

Injured dogs were kept in shocking conditions at the family home brothers Grant and David Campbell share with their mother Mary
The Campbells’ home in Woodside Crescent, Newmains, viewed from above

His brother David Campbell pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide a suitable environment for two of the dogs and failing to keep them free from suffering, injury or disease as their clinical condition strongly displayed signs of neglect and failure to seek veterinary care.

Dog neglected by hillybilly brothers Grant Campbell and David Campbell from Newmains, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Image: SSPCA

Scottish SPCA inspector, Dawn Murrie, said: “We had several dealings with Grant and David Campbell from March 2021 in regard to the conditions dogs were being kept in and traps Grant Campbell had around the Newmains area.

“Advice was given on the conditions the dogs were being kept in on several occasions and we issued an animal welfare notice that the Campbells complied with. Advice was also given to Grant Campbell on the operation of his traps and the requirements for their appropriate use.

Dog neglected by hillybilly brothers Grant Campbell and David Campbell from Newmains, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Image: SSPCA
Tara’s painful arthritis went untreated by her heartless owners

“On 19 October 2021 we received another complaint to our animal helpline about the conditions at the property.

“We attended and it was immediately clear that there were issues throughout. There was a strong foul odour as we entered, and the pathway into the garden and dog kennels was covered in faeces, hazards and rubbish.

“The kennels themselves were full of urine and faeces with a complete lack of suitable, dry bedding available for the dogs.

“One kennel was so full of faeces that no part of the flooring was visible. The door to this kennel was closed over and, at first, we assumed this to be a dumping ground for all of the faeces accumulated from the other dogs. Further examination revealed two large, adult deerhound type dogs, lying in the back compartment of the kennel.

“We had immediate concerns for the welfare of all of the animals on the premises and removed them for veterinary examination.

“Lass, one of the deerhounds, was found to have pressure sores and a fracture in her leg that the vet estimated would have been present for around three to four weeks. The break had been left untreated for so long that she had to have her leg amputated.

Dog neglected by hillybilly brothers Grant Campbell and David Campbell from Newmains, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Image: SSPCA

“Boy, another deerhound, only had three legs and was suffering from a displaced toe. Not only would this have caused him pain but the extra stress on them due to his missing leg would have been more than a normal limb usually supports.

“Gibbs, a pug, was suffering from a severe bacterial skin infection. Pinky, another pug, had an extremely infected and swollen toe.

“Tara, a Staffordshire bull terrier, and Buffy, a lurcher, were found to have arthritis, an extremely painful condition when left untreated.

“All of the dogs were suffering from dental disease to some extent.

“We are pleased that both brothers have received bans on keeping animals.”

Sentencing |

Grant Campbell: two year supervision order and six month restriction of liberty order. Banned from keeping any animal indefinitely.

David Campbell: community payback order of 300 hours to be completed over three years. Banned from keeping any animal for five years (expires July 2028).

Daily Record
Scottish SPCA

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Buckie, Moray: Natalia Piszczyk

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

Dog killer Natalia Piszczyk from Buckie, Scotland. Image: Facebook

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.

Image source: Scottish SPCA
Image source: Scottish SPCA

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.

Dog killer Natalia Piszczyk from Buckie, Scotland. Image: Facebook

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.”

Dog killer Natalia Piszczyk from Buckie, Scotland. Image: Facebook

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

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Portknockie, Moray: Katie Lynch

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CONVICTED (2023) | Katie Margaret Lynch, born 28 July 1991, previously of Bogroy Crescent, Cornhill, Banff and now 1 Wood Place, Portknockie, Buckie AB56 4NJ – refused to feed her ex’s dog after they broke up, leaving the dog to become skeletal.

Buckie woman Katie Lynch left a dog to become skeletal after a bad break-up
Katie Lynch left a dog to become skeletal after a bad break-up

Lynch admitted to Scottish SPCA inspectors that she had nothing to do with the dog – a lurcher called Dexter – after the split and just assumed her eight-year-old daughter was taking care of him.

When a vet examined the starving dog, he had a body weight of 15kg against a normal body weight for his breed of 25kg-28kg.

He was was given a body score of 0 out of 9 – a rating rarely used as it describes “skeletal cases”.

Buckie woman Katie Lynch left a dog to become skeletal after a bad break-up

Dexter was only saved from certain death after Lynch’s mother intervened and rang the SSPCA, albeit lying that the dog was a stray.

The SSPCA collected Dexter and took him to a vet where it was concluded that he had suffered months of malnutrition.

The animal welfare charity issued a public photo appeal in a bid to trace Dexter’s owner. Multiple tip-offs named Katie Lynch as having the dog in her home.

They paid Lynch a visit and found she had two other dogs, a Staffordshire bull terrier and a schnauzer, running around her garden in good condition and enjoying a large run and kennel.

Charity inspectors interviewed Lynch and she denied ownership of Dexter, indicating he had belonged to her ex-partner.

Buckie woman Katie Lynch left a dog to become skeletal after a bad break-up

When asked if she’d fed the dog herself, Lynch replied: “I think my daughter did. She kept sneaking out with food”, adding that she was “too busy with the break-up” to check.

She signed Dexter over to the SSPCA, who spent two months caring for him. After being nursed back to health and fed a proper diet, he was happily rehomed.

In court Lynch pleaded guilty to causing an animal unnecessary suffering.

Her defence agent Stephen Carty said she had been suffering from mental health issues at the time.

‘She was somewhat aware the dog was there’

“The break-up had a massive effect on her mental health,” he said. “The end of the relationship has probably been a positive thing for Miss Lynch.

“It appears at the end of the relationship her former partner has left the dog at the house.

“She has been somewhat aware that the dog was there but in her view, the responsibility for the care of the animal fell to her ex-partner, not her.

“It’s a matter of regret to her. If she had phoned the SSPCA I am sure they would have come out and helped.”

Referencing background and psychiatrist reports he added his client’s mental health was poor and “she had suffered a great deal herself”.

He added the first offender had acted “out of character” but had recently moved back in with her mother who was providing a “great source of support”.

Buckie woman Katie Lynch left a dog to become skeletal after a bad break-up

Sheriff Robert McDonald, who was shown photos of Dexter at his thinnest, said the images and the body score were “shocking”.

He said he took into account Lynch’s personal circumstances at the time but that “doesn’t excuse the offence”.

He said he ordinarily “wouldn’t hesitate in imposing a disqualification order” in a case like this, but said he trusted the SSPCA would have acted if they had any concerns over the care of Lynch’s other two dogs.

SSPCA senior inspector Lesley Crocket said she would have liked to have seen Lynch banned from keeping animals.

She added: “Lynch claimed the dog belonged to her ex-partner, who she had last seen two or three months prior and that she was unaware if Dexter had been left behind in her garden.

“She claimed never to have heard the dog barking and thought her ex-partner had taken him away or sold him.

“We’re pleased that Lynch has received a sentence for the suffering she caused to Dexter. However, it’s disappointing that she has not received a ban on keeping animals in this case.

Sentencing | 90 hours of unpaid work; six-month supervision order. No ban or deprivation order.

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