Bonhill man banned from keeping pets

Nov 28 2008 Lennox Herald (main ed)

A DEPRESSED dog owner who left his pet starving and in agony has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Allan Shaw’s neglect of the German Shepherd meant she was “grossly underweight” and suffering from a severe skin condition when animal inspectors rescued her from his Bonhill home on March 22, 2006.

Last week, 27-year-old Shaw appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court and admitted failing to provide adequate nutrition or veterinary treatment for the five-year-old bitch at his O’Hare flat.

Fiscal depute Gillian Climie told the court that an SSPCA inspector visited Shaw’s home following an allegation of dog neglect at the address.

She added: “The inspector saw the dog and was of the opinion its welfare was seriously compromised. The concerns were that the dog was underweight and had a skin condition, very obvious to anyone looking at the dog.

“Mr Shaw agreed that the dog was in urgent need of attention from a vet and gave permission for the inspector to take the dog for immediate veterinary evaluation.”

Two vets examined the animal and found she was grossly underweight, suffering from severe flea allergy dermatitis and had conjunctivitis.

She had lost part of her coat as a result and there was also thickening and redness of the skin particularly on her back, tail and abdomen.

Shaw was later cautioned and admitted being the owner of the dog and said he was aware the dog had health problems and had not sought veterinary treatment.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that Shaw signed the dog over to the SSPCA and it had since been rehomed.

Roddy Boag, defending, said: “These cases are difficult for the defence to make any comment which is appropriate.

“As soon as any explanation is given it is as if what’s being put forward is an attempt to make inexcusable behaviour acceptable. All that can be said is that while there is clearly no defence, there may be some degree of excuse which would allow your lordship to deal with this other than by way of custody.

“At the time the accused was suffering from a significant degree of depression.

“This had been his dog for a period in excess of five years and it was only over the latter months that this inattention, rather than deliberate cruelty, which led to this unnecessary suffering, took place.”

Sheriff Bill Dunlop said: “Mr Shaw, this is a horrifying story of neglect. Had there been active cruelty as opposed to passive neglect you would have been going straight to jail.” Shaw was ordered to complete 200 hours community service and banned from keeping an animal for 10 years.