A PET owner who caused unnecessary suffering and failed to provide adequate care and treatment for his dog has been given a five-year ban from owning animals, 12-months of supervision and a community payback order of 180 hours following a Scottish SPCA investigation.
Gordon Davey, 29, from Dunfermline, was sentenced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court and found guilty of causing his dog Ozzy unnecessary suffering by failing to provide him with adequate care and treatment in relation to a skin infection, ear infections and overgrown claws between June and August 2016.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Nicola Liddell said, “Upon entering the property, it was immediately apparent that Ozzy – a black and white Staffordshire bull terrier – was in a very poor neglected state.
“He was suffering from a chronic skin condition affecting his body, limbs, and face. His coat and skin was covered in scabs resulting in hair loss to his paws and underside, with weeping pustules and scabs on the exposed skin.
“Both ears had internal scabs and thick discharge around his ear canals. Ozzy’s claws were grossly overgrown, curving round towards his pads and he was very reluctant to stand even with encouragement and treats.
“Ozzy had been suffering for a considerable length of time. We are delighted that Paton has been dealt with by the courts and hope he will give serious consideration to his ability to care for animals in the future.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here