Aberdeenshire woman handed five year animal ban after keeping three dogs and cat in 'appalling' conditions

An Aberdeenshire woman has received a five-year animal ban after keeping her pets in “appalling” conditions.

Demi Crowley pled guilty at Banff Sheriff Court on Wednesday, April 16, to neglecting her three dogs and cat.

Police Scotland contacted the Scottish SPCA in May last year after they visited a property and were concerned for the animals’ welfare.

The three dogs were found all locked into one cage, in “extremely cramped” conditions, with no access to water or food and “obviously stressed”.

Several months of faeces had built up in the cat’s litter box, with the cat locked in the bathroom with what was described as an “eyewatering” smell.

The house was described as in a state of “disarray”, with clothes and rubbish scattered throughout.

Crowley also received a community payback order, with supervision for a year, and the pets were seized under the Animal Health and Welfare Act to “prevent further suffering”.

A Scottish SPCA inspector said: “We attended the same day and police officers confirmed three dogs had been locked in a cage.

“They had removed the dogs from the cage due to extremely cramped conditions, and the dogs were in direct sunlight on a hot day, panting, with no water, and were obviously stressed.

“Upon entering the property, I saw that the living area and kitchen were in a state of disarray, with clothes, rubbish, boxes, and dishes scattered across all surfaces and worktops.

“The cage the dogs had been shut in should only house one medium-sized dog at most, and only be used for short periods, and not left in direct sunlight.

“The three dogs were in reasonable condition.

“The cage was empty on my arrival as police had let the dogs out. However, I observed no water, no bedding or comfort and no food bowls. The cage was dirty and had nothing but the plastic tray at bottom.

“The cat was within the bathroom and on opening the bathroom door, the smell of urine, faeces and ammonia was overwhelming and eye-watering.

“A tabby coloured female small Bengal type cat came over to the door and appeared in good condition although she smelt horrendous indicating she had been there for some time”.

“The litter tray can only be described as disgusting with nothing but solid faeces built up over several months and the cat had resorted to defecating on the floor and surfaces, there were empty food containers and rubbish strewn throughout but no fresh water or food.

“We seized all four animals under Section 32 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to secure their welfare and prevent further suffering.

“We are pleased Crowley received a five-year ban. The conditions these animals were found in and subjected to were completely unacceptable.”