Barrhead woman Lorraine Ferguson receives 30-year ban for neglecting elderly dog Tye covered in painful tumours

A woman who neglected her elderly dog with a painful “visibly raw and dripping fluid” mass has been banned from owning pets for 30 years.

Tye, 16, was found behind Barrhead High School on February 24 by a Scottish SPCA officer following reports of a stray.

On arrival, the officer immediately contacted the local Scottish SPCA inspector due to the condition she was found in.

The collie cross Staffordshire bull terrier was lying next to a burn, and was unable to stand due to a “large, bleeding mass” hanging from her vulva.

She was immediately taken to a veterinary clinic for pain relief, as the mass which was “visibly raw and dripping fluid” and attached to her vulva caused her incredible pain when she walked or stood.

She also had several other tumours, which were visible and should have been “easily noticed by any reasonable owner”, according to Scottish SPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre.

Tye had to be put down due to low chances of recovery and the amount of suffering and pain she was in.

Chief inspector McIntyre said: “Given the size of the tumours, our vet estimated they were likely to have been present for at least six months for the smaller tumours and at least a year, although possibly significantly longer, for the largest tumour.

“In addition, the dog had age-related changes to her eyes and marked dental disease with inflamed gums, thick tartar and worn teeth.

After Tye was found, a member of the public phoned into the Scottish SPCA helpline later the same day to report her missing overnight.

The description matched Tye perfectly, and she was found a 12-minute walk away from the address provided by the caller – 51-year-old Lorraine Ferguson.

Chief inspector McIntyre said: “When we attended the property, Ferguson claimed Tye had recently been taken to the vet by a neighbour for treatment for ‘a fatty lump’.

“However, she could not provide any details of the appointment, which veterinary practice she was taken to, or even the name of the neighbour. When we checked with the nearest veterinary practice they had no record of Tye ever being registered there.

“We later discovered Tye had been found straying previously by a neighbour who recognised her need for veterinary treatment and took her to a vet to be scanned for a microchip. It took Ferguson two days to collect Tye from her neighbour’s property after she was contacted.”

“The neighbour advised Ferguson that the dog needed to be seen by a vet but it appears no attempt was made by Ferguson to arrange this.”

McIntyre said that Ferguson was given several opportunities to explain her circumstances and the reason for neglecting Tye in this manner, but she ignored all attempts by the Scottish SPCA to contact her.

After a lengthy investigation by the animal welfare charity, Lorraine Ferguson of Barrhead was sentenced on June 6 for neglecting her 16-year-old dog, Tye.

She received a ban on owning or keeping any animals for the next 30 years, and was also slapped with a £540 fine at Paisley Sheriff Court.

McIntyre said: “We are pleased that Ferguson has received a lengthy ban. This was a shocking case where the animal involved suffered a great deal completely unnecessarily.

“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”