CONVICTED (2023) | Allan Graham, born February 1992, of Muirhouse Avenue, Newmains, Wishaw ML2 9NF – left his elderly dog starving and drinking out of a green algae-covered water bowl.
Graham pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 2 August 2023. The charges were in relation to a Staffy/English bull terrier crossbreed named Bruiser.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Heather Lawson said “We attended a property on Muirhouse Avenue, Newmains, Wishaw on 14 August 2020 following a complaint to our animal helpline.
“The caller reported that there was a dog within the property who was in extremely poor body condition.
“Inside the premises we found a male, Staffordshire bull terrier cross English bull terrier type dog, known as Bruiser, in extremely poor condition. All his ribs, spine and hip bones were prominent. He had a hunched posture and a very quiet demeanour.
“There was a large bowl of water on the floor which was coloured green with algae. Allan Graham stated that the dog drank an excessive amount of water and to save him having to refill it he provided a larger bowl.
“He admitted that Bruiser was underweight and claimed he had been trying to feed him up by giving him pasta in addition to his normal dog food.
“Due to concerns for Bruiser’s welfare we removed him from the property and took him to a veterinary surgeon for examination.
“Bruiser was found to weigh 13.8kg with loss of muscle mass, especially over his hindquarters. The harness he was wearing was too big, suggesting he had lost a significant amount of weight since it was fitted. The normal weight for a dog of his breed would be between 18kg and 20kg.
“Bruiser’s coat was also in poor condition with a foul smell and quantity of dandruff.
“No clinical reason could be found for his weight loss and it was determined it was most likely due to a poor diet rather than an underlying medical condition.
“Bruiser soon regained weight in the care of one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres on a normal diet of commercially available dog food.
“We’re pleased Graham received a ban as, although he seemed to be aware that Bruiser was clearly in poor condition, he did nothing to resolve the situation.
“Bruiser’s suffering could easily have been alleviated through providing him with the correct nutrition.”
Sentencing | £450 fine. A two-year ban on owning dogs (expires August 2025)..