News / Edinburgh & East

Man trained his dogs to violently bait wild animals

Five-year ban after Martin Davidson, 23, was found in possession of videos showing his dogs attacking foxes.

Man trained his dogs to violently bait wild animals — Investigation: The four dogs were trained for the purposes of animal fighting. Scottish SPCA

Jack Thomson

28th Aug 2020

A man has been banned from owning dogs for five years after he trained his own four to violently bait wild animals.

Martin Davidson, 23, was found in possession of videos showing his dogs attacking foxes and posing with injured and dead animals.

Davidson of Abbotsford Road, Lochore in Fife, pleaded guilty at Dunfermline Sheriff Court to training his dogs for animal fighting, including badger baiting, and to failing to provide veterinary treatment for an injured dog in his care.

The sheriff sentenced Davidson to an immediate interim ban which stops him from owning, keeping or dealing with dogs for the next five years.

However, he may update this order when Davidson returns to court for sentencing on October 2.

Three of the dogs involved in the case were male, brindle coloured bull lurchers named Tramp, Mojo and Sid. The other was a female, white and tan, Staffordshire bull terrier named Lady.

Martin Davidson showed his dogs posing with injured and dead animals. <strong>Scottish SPCA</strong>”/><cite class=cite></cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true>Martin Davidson showed his dogs posing with injured and dead animals. <strong>Scottish SPCA</strong> <cite class=hidden></cite></figcaption></figure><p>A Scottish SPCA special investigations unit inspector, who cannot be named due to undercover operations, said: “We received intelligence that Davidson was keeping and training dogs for the purposes of animal fighting.</p><p>“We obtained a search warrant and gained entry to the home of Davidson where we found the four dogs.</p><p>“The Staffordshire bull terrier, Lady, was in the house. She had significant scarring to her muzzle and lower jaw. These injuries are consistent with animal fighting, in particular badger baiting.</p><p>“The three lurchers were found outdoors in a kennel and run in the rear garden, far too small for their size and breed. Two had obvious, fresh injuries to their ears and heads.</p><p>“We also found animal fighting paraphernalia at Davidson’s residence. This included hunting gear, blood stained wellies and a spot lamp commonly using for lamping with dogs, which is hunting at night.</p><p>“Multiple images were discovered of his dogs pictured with dead animals at night. Some featured the dogs viciously gripping foxes between their jaws.”</p><p>If anyone has information relating to individuals involved in similar activity, they should contact the Scottish SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on <strong>03000 999 999</strong>.</p><div class=

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