Couple banned for starving dogs found with 'clearly visible spines and ribs'

A couple have been banned from owning dogs for years after starving three dogs whose “spines and ribs were clearly visible”.

Samara Morecroft and Ryan Hogg, from the Borders, have been banned from owning dogs for five and two years, respectively, after receiving their sentences at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Morecroft was also given a community payback order and will have to carry out 65 hours of unpaid work, while Hogg was fined £740.

During the investigation, Morecroft also received a £500 fine and was handed a five-year ban on owning and keeping dogs for a previous animal neglect case.

She pled guilty to causing suffering to one-year-old Cane Corso, Bronson, by failing to adequately feed them and seek veterinary attention for their poor condition.

Hogg was found guilty of causing suffering to eight-year-old German Shepherd, Saphire, and one-and-a-half-year-old Glen for the same reasons.

The Scottish SPCA attended their property in December 2023 after a report of concern for the welfare of the dogs was made to the society’s helpline.

A Scottish SPCA inspector said: “Bronson, Saphire and Glen’s spine, ribs and hips were clearly visible. Glen also had a matted coat.

“It was one of the worst cases of neglect I have seen in years.”

It was then decided it was in the best interest of all the dogs to be removed from the property and taken for immediate veterinary care.

The vet found that Bronson and Saphire were all emaciated, while Glen was severely underweight, caused by a lack of food over a period of several weeks or possibly longer.

Bronson was also suffering from entropion, a condition in which the eyelid turns inward. One of his eyes had to be surgically removed.

Following examination by a vet, the dogs were transported to the SSPCA’s Animal Rehoming and Rehabilitation Centre in Edinburgh for further care and attention.

All dogs are now said to be in good health after rehabilitation and have been rehomed.

The SSPCA Inspector added: “We welcome the court’s decision and hope it sends a strong message that animal neglect will not be tolerated in Scotland. No animal should be inflicted with such pain.”

The charity is calling for the creation of a National Animal Offenders Register that’s connected to current intelligence systems so enforcement agencies can monitor bans, track repeat offenders, and identify links early between animal abuse and other crimes.

A Scottish SPCA Inspector added: “A register will prevent dogs like Bronson from falling into the hands of people who have previously shown they are incapable of appropriately caring for an animal”.

To report any act of cruelty, visit the SSPCA’s Contact Us page.