CONVICTED (2014) | Dean Ross, born 18 October 1984, then of Caponhill Road, Tranent but with family links to Windsor Park Terrace, Musselburgh* – starved his pet dog and buried him in the garden after the animal died from malnutrition

Dean Ross, a former soldier who served in the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, failed to regularly feed five-year-old Weimaraner Dexter or take him to the vet for urgent lifesaving treatment.

After starving Dexter Ross gave the pedigree dog a large amount of food which resulted in the animal’s sudden death from a condition called re-feeding syndrome.

After Dexter died, Ross buried his emaciated body in the back garden of his home in Tranent in East Lothian.

Depute fiscal Graham Fraser told the court the Scottish SPCA received a report concerning Dexter in February 2013. After an excavation order was obtained, the animal’s remains were dug up from Ross’s back garden.

Veterinary examination found the dog was less than half the weight he should have been, with a body score of one over nine

Ross, now a plumbing engineer, told the authorities he was no longer able to “afford the necessary veterinary treatment”.

Mr Fraser added: ““There was a combination of the lack of veterinary care and inadequate diet, and the vet’s attention should have been sought.”

He said Dexter had died from re-feeding syndrome, which can result in the sudden death of starved animals who are suddenly provided with food.

He added: “His [the pathologist] opinion is that the dog’s very poor condition indicated that the welfare had been ‘significantly compromised’.”

The court heard it would have taken “several months” for Dexter to become so ill, and an animal pathologist report stated the dog’s weight loss and eventual death was due to “long-term lack of food”.

The pathologist’s report added any failure to provide enough nourishment to an animal over several months would have “led to widespread organ failure”.

Ross pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary attention and a wholesome diet for Dexter and another Weimaraner named Roxy.

Sentencing Ross, Sheriff Peter Braid described his treatment of Dexter as “sickening in the extreme”.

Inspector Emma Phillips, of the Scottish SPCA, welcomed the life ban for Ross.

Inspector Phillips said: “We were alerted when Ross’s female Weimaraner named Roxy was handed into another animal charity and they took her to a vets due to her poor body condition. Roxy was emaciated and weighed just 18kgs, which is half the weight she should have been.

“She had no muscle mass and all her bones were clearly visible.

“A blood test revealed no underlying health issues, confirming her weight loss had been caused by a lack of food. We were advised a second dog named Dexter had recently died at Ross’ property and was buried in the back garden.

“We arranged for Dexter’s body to be exhumed so a post mortem could be carried out. Dexter was severely emaciated and had protein-energy malnutrition, likely caused by a lack of food.

“We are pleased Ross has received a lifetime ban on owning animals following our investigation.

“While tragically it was too late for Dexter, Roxy made a full recovery in our care and has since found a loving new home where she is doing well.”

Sentencing | 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.. Lifetime ban on owning animals.

East Lothian Courier
Four Legged Friends and Enemies (blog)

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Location Update 2023

Dean Ross is reportedly now living in Auld Coal Medway, Bonnyrigg , Midlothian EH19 3GW.