Dogs found living in faeces-covered flat without access to food or water

A Livingston man has pleaded guilty to keeping three dogs in a squalid flat covered in faeces, shattered glass and broken furniture.

Connor Stewart was sentenced at Livingston Sheriff Court after breaching animal welfare laws.

He was given a five-year ban from owning dogs and fined £200.

Animal welfare inspectors from the Scottish SPCA attended Stewart’s flat back in December 2023 after concerns were raised for the dogs in his care.

Upon arrival, inspectors could see the horrendous conditions within the flat through the letterbox.

Inspectors requested that Stewart give them access, and he returned to the flat with two Dobermans, Ammo and Karma and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Kya.

The dog bowls were empty of food and water. Scottish SPCA

Ammon was noticeably underweight, with his ribs and hips visible, and his nails overgrown.

On entry to the flat, inspectors found the place covered in faeces, along with broken glass and furniture.

One inspector said: “The flat was completely squalid.

“The floors were soaked in urine and covered in thick layers of faeces throughout the property, some of which was beginning to turn mouldy.

“There was broken furniture throughout, smashed glass on the floors and electric shock collars charging in the kitchen area of the flat.

“All the food and water bowls were empty and bone dry.”

The flat in Livingston was covered in faeces, shattered glass and broken furniture.

Inspectors described the conditions as some of the worst they had witnessed, and the decision was made to take the dogs away.

Steward fled with his two Dobermans after the police called but was later traced.

Kya was taken to the vet for treatment, where she was described as having a noticeable odour of urine and faeces and drinking voraciously when given water.

The Scottish SPCA strongly opposes the use of shock collars as punishment, as they can cause immediate pain to dogs.

The inspector added: “We are pleased with the sheriff’s decision. Stewart’s behaviour was unacceptable, and he showed complete disregard for his dogs’ well-being.

“No animal should be kept in such conditions, and we hope this sentencing sends a clear message that animal neglect will not be tolerated in Scotland.”