CONVICTED (2022) | Siobhan Wallace, born 16 August 1986, of Valley Gardens, Kirkcaldy KY2 5UD – failed to get help for her dog when she had a weeping infection and claws so long they grew over her paw pads.
Five-year-old Shih Tzu Daisy was removed from Siobhan Wallace’s care after SSPCA officers found her with severely overgrown fur, discharge coming from an ear and overgrown nails. Her coat was dry and flaky and pus was pouring from her ears, which were badly inflamed.
When officers asked Wallace if Daisy had received any medical help, she admitted she hadn’t attended a vet in seven months and blamed Covid-19.
The dog was removed and urgently taken to a local vet.
On examination, she was found to have an infection in both ears. She also had a 2.5cm mass-like lesion in her mouth which caused discomfort when touched.
Her nails were so long they had to be removed using forceps, with some wounds on her paws also infected.
In court, Wallace pleaded guilty to failing to provide medical care for her dog.
Solicitor David Cranston, defending, said Wallace had saved the dog from her unscrupulous former owners.
“The dog had not been well-loved by its previous owners.
“It was kept outside and seems to have been used for breeding – this appears to have been quite lucrative.
“But having reached the end of her purpose the owners made her (Wallace) aware they were going to get rid of it and that would not have been in the most humane way.”
He said the dog was so terrified by her previous treatment, a grooming salon was unable to treat her on a one-to-one basis and the two-to-one ratio needed was forbidden by lockdown laws.
Mr Cranston added Wallace had taken steps to do right by the dog, stating: “She could have tied it to a tree and made it someone else’s problem but realising she had a problem, she contacted the SSPCA.”
Siobhan Wallace pictured during her court appearance. Source: The Courier
Sheriff Alison McKay said she was concerned by the amount of time it took Wallace to seek help from the Scottish SPCA.
However, she stopped short of issuing an animal banning order, stating it was apparent Wallace is now more aware of the expense of keeping a dog.
Speaking about the case, Scottish SPCA inspector Stephanie Ross admitted there was disappointment Wallace had not received a harsher punishment.
She said: “We are disappointed that Wallace hasn’t received a disqualification order but pleased she received a fine and that Daisy has gone on to find a loving new home where she will be cared for in the proper manner.
She added : “It would have been obvious that Daisy was uncomfortable and we would expect any reasonable owner to have recognised this and sought veterinary treatment sooner.”
Sentencing | £375 fine and a £20 victim surcharge.
CONVICTED (2022) | Bradley Simpson, born 3 January 1998, of Watson Avenue, St Andrews KY16 8JE but with links to Honeygreen Road, Dundee DD4 8BG – stabbed his mother’s pet dog to death with a screwdriver.
Bradley Simpson stabbed a dog to death with a screwdriver and buried his burned remains in a local park.
Violent career criminal and drug abuser Simpson walked free from court with a 33-month ban on keeping animals and a social work referral after admitting repeatedly stabbing the German shepherd, called Buddy, with a screwdriver in Dundee.
Simpson formed part of the search party after Buddy was reported missing, before telling his mother: “You will never see him again. I’ve killed him.”
The remains of Buddy the German Shepherd were found burned and buried in a shallow grave.
The much-loved family pet had been in the family home when they went to bed but was missing the next morning. An alert was posted for the missing animal on a locally-targeted social media site and a search was carried out by a number of people.
Meanwhile, Simpson’s mother saw a pool of blood at the door of her home and splashes of blood within the living room and kitchen area. When she went outside to investigate further she saw more blood spattering on the side of the house.
Simpson was quizzed about what had happened and made comments about killing the dog and telling his family they would never see him again.
The search for Buddy came to an end when a horrified dog walker in a local park saw a scorched patch of ground close to a mound of disturbed soil which looked like it had been recently dug. When the mound was scraped back it revealed the charred remains of a dog, which was subsequently confirmed to be missing Buddy.
Simpson later spoke about being inspired to carry out the horrific slaying of the family pet after watching a Netflix series based around rescue dogs.
He admitted causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering. A not guilty plea to burning and dumping the dog in the park to conceal his crime was accepted by the Crown.
Solicitor Theo Finlay, defending, told the court: his client had been misusing drugs and this “has had a pretty catastrophic effect on him mentally.”
The dog killer had previously complained he had become “a target” during a period of remand in prison.
Simpson has a number of previous convictions, including for domestic abuse, under-age sex offending, theft and assault to permanent disfigurement.
Sentencing | three-year social work supervision order. Disqualified from owning or keeping any animal for just 33 months.
CONVICTED (2022) | hoarder Patricia Steven, born 9 December 1968, of Carden Avenue, Cardenden, Lochgelly – kept a menagerie of neglected pets in her filthy home.
During a search of Steven’s home on November 5, 2020, Scottish SPCA officers discovered two dogs with infections and an underfed snake, as well as 11 cats in the attic.
Steven had failed to provide necessary veterinary treatment for dogs Shadow and Cordy, both of whom were infested with fleas and suffering a chronic skin condition. Shadow, an elderly black Labrador, eventually had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds.
She was also found to have failed to provide a “safe environment” for 11 cats and kittens, alongside an underweight adult corn snake.
Scottish SPCA inspector Stephanie Ross said, “On 5 November 2020, we attended Patricia Steven’s property in response to concerns for two dogs and a number of cats and kittens.
“Steven was continually uncooperative and she claimed the animals were no longer at the property, despite multiple credible witnesses reporting their concerns.
“A warrant was executed to search the property on 23rd November 2020. Due to Steven’s hostile nature, Police Scotland assisted Scottish SPCA inspectors.
“We went up the stairs and immediately saw an open hatch on the ceiling leading to the attic where a group of cats and kittens were being kept. We were concerned that the felines could have fallen from this height and become injured.
“The loft was partially floored and very unsafe. There was lots of exposed insulation and the cats were covered in this material.
“The cats were scratching themselves incessantly. They appeared distressed and were behaving erratically.
“We found two dogs living in filthy conditions in the kitchen. Shadow, an elderly black Labrador, was lying in amongst rubbish bags. He was emaciated with very prominent hair loss down his back and legs.
“Cordy, a white Staffordshire bull terrier type dog, was frantically foraging in the bin bags looking for food. She was also emaciated and had an obvious skin complaint, with hair loss, and thickened areas on her back.
“A corn snake was also found living in a makeshift enclosure in a living room cabinet.
“All animals were removed from the property. A vet confirmed both dogs were severely malnourished and underweight. They also confirmed both dogs were suffering from a severe flea infestation and ear infections. Shadow also had inflammation and infection in both eyes.
“The cats were taken to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres where they were treated immediately for their severe flea infestation. Most of the cats had varying degrees of flea allergy dermatitis. Some cats had hair loss and some areas of scabs.
“One of the cats, Fred, required dental treatment and was found to have a grade four heart murmur.”
A vet later assessed both dogs to have a body condition score of two out of nine – with one being the most emaciated – and said it would have taken at least three weeks to reach this state.
Steven admitted causing suffering to two dogs, 11 cats and the snake by failing to provide adequate care between August and November 2020.
Solicitor Peter Robertson, defending, said Steven was an animal lover who had found herself “overwhelmed” by trying to care for so many animals on a limited income.
“She thought she could solve the problem herself. She’s very upset by it all. She’s been in tears going through it with me – almost hysterically so.
“She’s not deliberately set out to harm animals.”
Sheriff Timothy Niven-Smith hit back saying: “It doesn’t cost anything to lift faecal matter from your back doorstep.
“There’s homeless people who have dogs and beg on the streets who, with no funds whatsoever, manage to feed and care for their animals.
“I don’t see how this is solely down to lack of finance.”
Sentencing | 108-day curfew. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2022) | Jason Louis McAndrew, born c. 1977, of Marketgate, Arbroath – failed to treat his dog’s agonising skin condition.
Mac was put to sleep to end his appalling suffering after being neglected by his heartless owner, Jason McAndrew.
McAndrew admitted causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide appropriate care and treatment in relation to nine-year-old German shepherd Mac. Very sadly the dog was put to sleep because of his poor condition. He had fractured teeth, an infected wound and dermatitis.
McAndrew was fined £150 and given a two-year ban on keeping animals. The sentence has been criticised by the Scottish SPCA, which had hoped for a longer ban.
A member of the public first reported concerns about McAndrew’s injured dog to the animal welfare charity on October 22, 2020.
Inspector Karen Cooper said: “The dog was taken to a nearby veterinary surgery.
“Mac was later transported to a Scottish SPCA animal rescue and rehoming centre for further care and attention.”
An initial assessment revealed wounds down the dog’s legs and around his scrotum, where the top layer of skin had disappeared.
Ms Cooper said: “The wound was clearly very tender as Mac was unwilling to let anyone near it.
“All of the wounds were infected and weeping discharge which had become matted in to the hair around them.
“There was an obvious pungent smell coming from Mac and he was extremely sore because of his wounds.”
Later test results showed Mac had an auto immune condition where his body was “attacking its own skin.”
“This was likely to have been a condition that built up over time and was present for months if not years,” said Ms Cooper.
“His condition was potentially treatable and leaving his condition untreated led to Mac being caused unnecessary suffering for a prolonged period of time.”
Later that week, McAndrew agreed to sign Mac over into the care of the charity.
“Sadly, the difficult decision was made to put Mac to sleep on veterinary advice due to the extent of his injuries,” said Ms Cooper.
She added: “We would have hoped to have seen a lengthier ban as McAndrew was responsible for the welfare of Mac and sadly his needs were not met.
“We understand that veterinary treatment can be expensive, but ignoring Mac’s condition was not the way to handle the situation and caused him an unnecessary amount of suffering.”
She urged anyone with concerns about an animal to contact the Scottish SPCA hotline.
Sentencing | fined £150. Two-year ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2022) | Rhys Owen Davies, born 12 December 1993, of Bwthyn Grug, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli LL53 7HN – kept five dogs for animal fighting and failed to treat their injuries.
Davies, who has now returned to his home town of Llanbedrog in North Wales, admitted keeping and training five Patterdale Terriers to fight animals, as well as failing to seek veterinary treatment for two which had sustained injuries from fighting.
Davies, a former gamekeeper at the Millden shooting estate* in Glenesk, Brechin, Angus DD9, also pleaded guilty to breaching the conditions of his firearms licence by having unsecured firearms and ammunition in his then home in Turnabrae House.
Davies kept trophy photos of dogs he used to fight and bait wild animals
The court heard that an employee of a photo print company contacted the SSPCA with serious concerns about the welfare of several dogs pictured in an order for 58 images placed by Davies.
Many of the dogs showed progressively more serious facial injuries over the period the images were taken and several males posing and digging into what looked like badger setts or fox dens. There were numerous images showing dead foxes.
Many of the images showed injured dogs and dead foxes.One horrific image showed a terrier latched onto a bleeding badger
The SSPCA identified them as ‘trophy’ photographs showing a group of males engaging in the organised fighting and killing of wild animals over an extended period. Davies was easily identifiable in many of the images.
Inspectors from the SSPCA and officers from Police Scotland went to Davies’ home in Brechin with a warrant on the morning of October 8, 2019. Police found a Benelli shotgun propped against a wall near the front door, two rifles were also found, a Tikka .243 rifle on the sofa and a CZ rifle in the hall cupboard next to the open gun cabinet.
An assortment of ammunition, including 23 bullets in a pot on the floor, five in a carrier bag behind the front door and one on top of a bed were seized by police.
Davies was pictured alongside others posing after digging into fox dens or badger setts.
Eleven dogs were found within kennels on the property. Five Patterdale Terrier dogs had obvious signs of injury.
Two of the terriers, Lola and Tuck, had fresh injuries. Lola’s were to her mouth and lower jaw and Tuck had part of his lower face missing and fresh injuries which produced an obvious smell when near the dog. There were also healing wounds to his forelegs.
All the dogs were taken to Scottish SPCA facilities for examination and treatment.
Inspectors found equipment on the property linked to illegal animal fighting including, locator collars, medication, needles and syringes and a staple gun used to staple up injuries.
Badger DNA was found on a red locator collar following forensic examination.
Photobooks were recovered from the property like the print order placed by Davies.
The dogs had been used repeatedly for fighting, resulting in serious disfigurement
Davies was interviewed under caution and admitted that the dogs had not received veterinary treatment in the time that he had owned them. He denied using the dogs to fight or kill foxes or badgers and claimed they had sustained injury from legal ratting and foxing.
Davies agreed to sign all the terrier dogs over to the Scottish SPCA for rehoming.
The injured dogs were examined by specialist vets. Their expert opinion was that the dogs had been kept for the purposes of animal fighting and their injuries were sustained from face-to-face combat with badgers or foxes.
Another dog is left disfigured after being trained to fight badgers and foxes for the entertainment of her sick owner
Davies’ phone was seized during the search and images of him engaged in digging activities and the dogs with fresh wounds were found. There were also numerous conversations with associates referencing digging activities and sharing photographs showing dogs pulling badgers out of setts.
A number of voice messages with associates were also found where they discussed digging with the dogs. In one message, Davies’ asks an individual about the size of photographs to print to make a digging album. Davies states, “And if I do get the knock for it at least everything’s all in the one place for them to find”.
GPS location data from Davies’ phone also placed him in two rural locations on 21 September 2019 where he was found to have had a conversation with the same associate about meeting to bait and later that night his associate sent an image of Davies standing in a large hole holding one of the terrier dogs.
Speaking after the sentencing, Karon Rollo, Head of the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit of COPFS said: “Animal fighting is a cruel illegal activity which causes terrible and unnecessary suffering to animals.
“The evidence clearly shows the scope of the involvement Rhys Davies had with an organised group that took pleasure in killing wild animals in such a wicked and inhumane manner.
“I welcome the sentence and the granting of the order preventing him from keeping animals for 15 years. I would like to thank Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA for their part in investigating and gathering evidence of these offences.
“Hopefully this prosecution and the sentence will serve as a message to others who would cause such suffering that there are consequences and that they will be held to account for their actions and could also lose their liberty.
“COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in these barbaric practices are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on animal fighting to contact Police Scotland or the Scottish SPCA.”
Sentencing | eight months in prison; £1,800 fine for firearms offences. Banned from owning or keeping animals for 15 years.
*The Millden Estate is one of a number of shooting estates in the Angus Glens. According to the insightful blog Raptor Persecution UK, the estate is “long- known amongst conservationists as a raptor persecution hotspot” where in 2009 a poisoned golden eagle named Alma was found, with a golden buzzard meeting a similar fate in the same year.
Another blogger, former police officer Alan Stewart aka the Wildlife Detective, described a “catalogue of criminality” taking place on the estate, with incidents including a working collie being poisoned in 2006. He continues:
Around the same time the eggs of a nesting hen harrier disappeared and two fresh shotgun cartridge cases were found near the nest. Despite DNA tests on the cartridge cases and the shotguns of the keepers being taken for comparison with the mark on the cartridge cases made by the firing pin no charges could be brought.
… in 2009 a dead otter was found in a fox snare.
In 2010 an egg tray and nitrile gloves, all with traces of pesticide, were recovered buried on the estate. It is likely that eggs baited with pesticide had been set out.
In 2011 a buzzard was seen being shot. The person doing the shooting drove off in a Land Rover. Neither the vehicle nor the person shooting could be identified. Despite a search on a rocky hill face, we were unable to recover the dead buzzard.
In 2012 … a satellite-tagged golden eagle probably caught in a spring trap, mysteriously moved overnight from Millden Estate and was found dumped, still alive and with two broken legs, on Deeside.
No one has ever been prosecuted for any of these alleged offences and Millden Estate has denied any responsibility.
On 1 November 2022 the Daily Record published an article revealing Rhys Davies’ links to other convicted wildlife persecutors Anthony Holloway (who’s also involved in dog fighting) and Liam Taylor.
CONVICTED (2022) | Gideon Stewart, born 23 July 1997, most recently of Halkett Crescent, Dunfermline KY11 4PH – drop-kicked a nine-week-old kitten while in a drunken rage.
Big hard man Gideon Stewart takes out his aggression on women and small animals
He spat in her face and called her a “slag” when she told him to stop.
Stewart appeared in the dock from custody to admit the offending, which took place on December 14 2020.
Sheriff Charles Macnair told him he was lucky not to have killed the defenceless animal during the violent outburst.
Procurator fiscal depute Laura McManus told the court Stewart was in his girlfriend’s home, where she was drinking with friends.
He began drinking alcohol and began acting aggressively as he “got drunker”.
At around 2am, he began to make sexually explicit abusive comments towards the group.
When his girlfriend asked him to stop, he spat in her face and verbally abused her.
Ms McManus continued: “The accused stated: ‘I’m going to smash all of you. You are all getting it’.
“He punched a wall and went into the hallway and picked up the complainer’s nine-week-old kitten and dropped it on his foot and kicked into the kitten.
The fiscal depute said her friends described him as “drop-kicking the kitten.”
Stewart then punched a hole in a wall, threatened to “put his girlfriend through a window” and told her “she was nothing.”
Police were called to the scene and found Stewart hiding in bed. He was arrested and handcuffed and taken to Dunfermline police station. When a constable tried to remove the cuffs, he spat on his arm.
Stewart pled guilty to kicking a kitten and causing it unnecessary suffering and assaulting his then-partner.
He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and assaulting a police officer.
Defence lawyer Brian Black said his client was “ashamed” and acknowledged anger management and alcohol have been problems for him.
Sheriff Charles Macnair told Stewart: “You kicked a defenceless animal and it was fortunate that animal seems to have survived the experience.”
Sentencing | 405 days in jail, backdated to January 27, 2022, when he was remanded in custody. He was also placed on a supervised release order for 200 days. A non-harassment order was also made to not contact the complainer in this case for 18 months.
CONVICTED (2022) | Donna Breen, 43, of Nimmo Place, Perth PHL – failed to give her two horses a proper diet and didn’t seek veterinary treatment when they became ill.
One of Breen’s horses, Destiny, had to be put to sleep after she was found in a skeletal state. She fell seriously ill after being left to eat deadly dry sugar beet.
Both horses were in Breen’s care at her then home at Wester Sunnyside, near Methven.
Scottish SPCA inspectors found another emaciated horse, Farrah, starving in the same field.
Breen admitted causing both horses unnecessary suffering. She admitted that throughout most of November and December 2019 she caused Destiny and Farrah to suffer “by act or omission”.
The court heard SSPCA Inspector Katherine Aitchison received a complaint on December 20, 2019, about a horse that had recently died “due to malnutrition” in Perthshire.
Ms Aitchison was told there was a second horse was in a poor condition. Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson told the court that Ms Aitchison visited the surviving horse and was met by Breen’s neighbour Philip Rolfe.
“Mr Rolfe explained to Ms Aitchison that he and his wife, Sarah-Jane, had been approached on December 18 by the Breen family for assistance with their horse, Destiny, after it had gorged on unsoaked sugar beet,” said Ms Wilkinson.
“Mr Rolfe went on to explain that when he had seen how thin the two horses were – and the froth coming from Destiny’s mouth and nostrils – he immediately recognised both horses required veterinary treatment.
“However, he alleges that Ms Breen claimed she could not afford to do this, so Mr Rolfe called Tay Valley Vets for assistance.”
Surviving horse Farrah was also found in a skeletal condition with all of her ribs visible.
Breen agreed to have the horses relocated to Mr Rolfe’s property for care and treatment.
Ms Wilkinson said: “Mr Rolfe went on to explain that Destiny had to be humanely destroyed by Tay Valley Vets on December 19, and had the carcass removed the following day.”
The court heard Ms Aitchison was shown surviving horse, Farrah.
“She noted that the horse was far below an acceptable weight of a horse for her size, age and breed,” said the prosecutor.
“However, she did not fully appreciate how thing the horse was until she physically touched the horse, as her dull winter coat hid the extent of the weight loss.
“Ms Aitchison said she could feel all of the horse’s ribs, her spine was visually prominent and her hips protruding from her side.”
A vet ruled that there was “no medical reason” for Farrah’s weight loss but said the most likely factor was a “lack of appropriate quantities of feed”.
The vet’s report adds: “Farrah’s condition could easily be recognised by a horse owner or a member of the public with no equine knowledge.”
Farrah was taken to an SSPCA facility and has since been passed to a horse welfare charity.
The court heard Destiny fell ill after breaking into the feed store at Breen’s home and eating dry sugar beet.
Vets stated she had a condition known as choke – a dry mass of sugar beet was stuck in her oesophagus causing her distress and preventing her from eating and drinking.
Destiny was about 100kg underweight, the report stated.
“The decision was made to euthanise Destiny as her prognosis was hopeless,” the vet’s report stated.
“Her condition could have been improved by proper nutrition or seeking appropriate veterinary advice and this would have prevented unnecessary suffering.
“However, veterinary treatment or advice or help from anyone else was sought, so I would consider Destiny to have suffered unnecessarily for at least four weeks but in my opinion mostly likely longer.”
Farrah was taken to an SSPCA facility and has since been passed to a horse welfare charity.
During police interview, Breen said she had owned Destiny for five months, while her young daughter had owned Farrah for a year. She told investigators: “If they were sick, I’d call the vet.”
Later, when told she was being charged with animal neglect Breen told Ms Aitchison: “But it wasn’t me that killed her.
“It was the vet that put water down her throat on top of dry food. The neighbour gave rubbish food advice.”
Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, told the court Breen had coping difficulties.
“She doesn’t show emotion and she keeps things bottled up all the time.
“She describes herself as simple, and she has difficulty understanding a number of concepts.”
He added: “She accepts this is a serious matter which will cause distress to many people.”
Sentencing | 18-month supervision order. Banned from owning animals indefinitely but can appeal after three years.
CONVICTED (2022) | Leeann Baird, born 8 August 1990, of 12 Cameron Place, Kincardine, Alloa FK10 4RD – banned from owning animals for ONE YEAR after she allowed her dog to become emaciated and malnourished
Baird pleaded guilty to failing to provide adequate nutrition or veterinary treatment for a seven-year-old whippet named Preston.
Scottish SPCA officers visited the house on April 23, 2021, after receiving reports of a neglected dog . Another person answered the door and initially denied having any dogs at the time.
However Preston was found inside in an emaciated condition and overgrown nails. His coat was dry and flaky.
Animal welfare officers seized the dog and took him to a vet where it was found that he weighed just 10.7kg. He ate ravenously when offered food.
It was estimated he had been caused unnecessary suffering for at least 28 days but most likely longer, through malnutrition. Blood tests revealed there were no underlying health conditions that could have caused this.
Baird claimed she had considered seeking treatment for Preston but could not afford it.
Scottish SPCA inspector Mairi Wright said: “We are pleased that Baird was handed a £200 fine and ban.
“Baird was responsible for the welfare of Preston and sadly his needs were not met.
“We understand that veterinary costs can become a worry, but ignoring Preston’s condition was not the way to handle the situation and caused him an unnecessary amount of suffering.
“We are glad that Preston finally received the treatment he needed and is now in a loving home getting the care he deserves.”
Sentencing | £200 fine and a woeful one-year ban (expires July 2023).
#MostEvil | John Wilson Haxton aka John Falconer, born 9 August 1992, previously of Murrayburn Green, Edinburgh and at time of publication living in Glenrothes, Fife – beat his dog so badly she had to be put to sleep to end her suffering.
Haxton beat Roxy so severely the retinas of both eyes became detached.
Haxton was found to have abused his Staffordshire bull terrier dog, Roxy, leaving her blind with severe swelling.
Haxton first came to the attention of the Scottish SPCA in 2018 after reports had been made to its animal helpline of people having witnessed him kicking or abusing Roxy in public or hearing noises suggesting he was beating the dog inside his home.
The animal charity investigated, but at the time there was no evidence to support the reports and he was only issued warnings.
However, in 2020 members of the public intervened after he was seen to be badly beating Roxy in public.
Two members of the public took Roxy from Haxton and she was bleeding from the eye, had cuts across her body and her neck had significant swelling. She was very distressed and was urinating blood.
Roxy had suffered repeated attacks by her owner sustaining injuries so severe that she had to be euthanised on humane grounds.
The charity intervened again and inspector Fiona Thorburn met the members of the public at the vet where Roxy had been taken for emergency treatment.
The vet found numerous injuries on Roxy which suggested recent trauma including central blindness.
At that time, the vet determined that her vision would likely not return.
Roxy was required to stay at the hospital for 24 hours before she was transferred into the care of the Scottish SPCA.
Further examination found that she also had arthritis and a serious hip injury.
These conditions, as well as her recent injuries and blindness, were causing her immense pain and suffering and the sad decision was made to put her to sleep on welfare grounds.
Inspector Thorburn said: “The post-mortem showed that there had been bleeding to Roxy’s eyes for at least two days. The bleeding is generally associated with trauma to the eye and, in this case, to both of Roxy’s eyes. Her retinae were detached at least three days before her death which supports claims that Roxy was regularly beaten by Haxton.
“The vet concluded that Roxy had been caused severe unnecessary suffering as a result of the beating she received on May 2, 2020 and that the injuries sustained were a result of blunt trauma to her face, head and abdomen. She would have been caused immeasurable physical and mental pain and she was left terrified and anxious of human contact.
“It would have been clear to any responsible owner that Roxy needed emergency veterinary treatment.
“We liaised with the vet Roxy was registered with and found that earlier in 2020, she had been kicked so badly that she suffered a dislocated hip. Surgery to repair the injury was booked in but not taken forward.
“This is a very harrowing case and one that will stay with me and, I’m sure, everyone involved. The level of suffering inflicted on Roxy in Haxton’s care is unimaginable. She was put to sleep as a direct result of Haxton’s actions. We had hoped he would never be allowed to care for an animal ever again.
“We are extremely disappointed given the severity of the injuries Haxton inflicted on Roxy that he did not receive a lengthier ban or custodial sentence. Haxton had opportunities to relinquish ownership of his dog were he not coping but he refused and instead her suffering continued.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the two members of the public who witnessed Haxton beating Roxy in public and removed her from his care. Her injuries were so severe that who knows what would have happened if they hadn’t intervened. However, we wouldn’t recommend people put themselves in any danger in this sort of situation and to call Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA should they witness a crime such as this.”
Sentencing | 300-hour community payback order. Five-year ban on owning and keeping animals.
Haxton is living with a woman named Sarah Falconer at a property in Caskieberran Road, Glenrothes KY6 2NT. It’s rumoured that the pair of them have bought a kitten together despite him being banned from keeping or owning any animal.
Haxton with girlfriend Sarah Falconer, who’s from Glenrothes.
CONVICTED (2022) | dog thief and abuser Clifford Hodgkins, born 6 December 1981, of 31 Woodlands Park, Blairgowrie PH10 6UW but originally from Kidderminster, Worcestershire.
Thieving animal abuser Clifford Hodgkins and one of the four dogs he stole from the Blairgowrie area in October 2020. The unnamed female dog remains missing nearly two years on although the three other dogs were recovered in the English West Midlands, from where Hodgkins originally hails.
Hogkins, who has strong links to the Stourport travelling community, was convicted of dog theft in relation to four dogs taken from their owners, and cruelty to a lurcher he left chained up outside in sub-zero temperatures.
Hodgkins has a violent past and a long criminal record.
Hodgkins, who has a long history of violent offending, stole three Jack Russells terriers and a Springer spaniel from remote properties in the Blairgowrie area.
He lifted one dog out of his kennel and bundled him into a car, while his horrified owner looked on.
Three of the dogs were later found more than 400 miles away, in different parts of the English West Midlands. The Springer remains missing, almost two years on.
Hodgkins, whose previous convictions include domestic violence, assault, carrying knives, burglary, and racially aggravated harassment, was found guilty of the thefts at two properties in Meikleour and Forneth in October 2020 following a trial at Perth Sheriff Court.
He was further convicted of a separate animal neglect charge, after a “crying” lurcher-type dog was seized by animal welfare teams from a property in Rattray, near Blairgowrie.
Police and the SSPCA swooped on the house in MacDonald Crescent, Rattray, and found the dog, called Bruce, tethered in the back garden.
Hodgkins was found guilty of failing to provide the animal with adequate shelter and exposing him to the elements between 27 and 29 November 2020. He failed to provide a suitable living environment and limited his movement by tethering him.
SSPCA inspector Katherine Aitchison told the trial she went to the property on November 28, 2021, following complaints from neighbours.
She said: “A male answered the door. At the time, he did not identify himself but I later understood that he was Clifford Hodgkins.
“He stated there was no dog in the back garden at all. I was told that a Lhaso Apso that I could see on the stairs behind him was the only dog on the property.”
Ms Aitchison said she returned with police the following day. She described the lurcher-type dog in the back garden as “very cold and all hunched up”.
She said: “I think the night before the temperature had dropped to minus four. The dog was obviously tired and was shivering.
“Its tail was between its legs and it had a roached back. That’s not happy body language.”
She said the dog had access to a wooden shed, which had a tarpaulin sheet with a slit in it instead of a door.
“There was a small blanket on the floor of the shed. It wasn’t providing much comfort and it definitely wasn’t providing any heat.”
The dog was taken to SSPCA offices and examined.
Ms Aitchison said Bruce had cracks on his paws, an infected claw and scarring on his face.
“He relaxed after a few minutes of being in the heat,” she said.
One witness told the trial she heard the dog crying and later saw Hodgkins shouting at him.
“He was being aggressive,” she said. I was on the phone to the police, watching it happen.
“He picked up a handful of gravel and threw it at the dog.”
Taking the witness stand, Hodgkins told the trial he had bought the dog for £400 after seeing it advertised on the internet.
“I bought it on the Friday and the police came and took him on the Sunday,” he said.
“It was a pet. I wanted to take him on walks in the countryside.”
He denied neglecting the animal, insisting that the shed – which had no door or windows – was wind-proof, dry and insulated.
Hodgkins rejected claims made by a neighbour that he threw stones at the dog and shouted aggressively at it.
“The dog was whinging because it was in a new environment,” he said.
“So I told it to get in (the shed) a few times.”
He said: “You have to train them, because they’re brain dead. You have to show him.”
But Sheriff Gill told Hodgkins that he found the evidence of SSPCA officers, police and neighbours to be credible and reliable and said it was clear the dog was left in a state of distress.
The sheriff found a further charge, that tree surgeon Hodgkins behaved in a threatening or abusive manner and threw stones at the dog, not proven.
Sentencing | jailed for 90 days and fined £500 for the thefts. He was fined another £400 for the animal neglect charge. Two-year disqualification order (expires June 2024).
