SNS GroupA man neglected his two dogs, leaving one so badly injured that it screamed when touched.
Thomas McLaren, 32, owned French bulldog Berti and German shepherd Maggie, who were found malnourished by a Scottish SPCA employee.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that a neighbour initially reported concerns for the dogs aged four and two.
The SSPCA employee went to support assistant McLaren’s home in the city’s Baillieston.
The employee was told by McLaren that Maggie had been checked over by a vet eight weeks prior, but the other dog had not.
McLaren was then told that the charity employee believed a crime may have been committed and an investigation would take place.
The dogs were removed from McLaren and taken to a vet to be checked over.
Berti was found to have “suffered unnecessary treatment” and “lacked adequate nutrition and vet attention.”
Berti’s body condition was graded as one out of nine while Maggie’s was stated to be two out of nine.
Prosecutor Ross Chapman added: “Maggie had multiple painful infected wounds to her hind legs which were seeping discharge.
“This caused her to scream out when touched.
“It was the vet’s view that Maggie’s needs were not met for a period of one to two months.”
It was deemed that the condition was “not easily ignored” or “expected to see in usual circumstances.”
The SSPCA employee returned to McLaren and informed him that a crime had been committed.
When told about the wounds to Maggie’s leg, McLaren stated that he was “not aware.”
The employee tried to arrange an interview with McLaren on May 4, 2026, but he asked to have it rearranged.
It was not until May 7 that McLaren attended for an interview, and he was later cautioned and charged.
McLaren pleaded guilty two charges against the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.
The charges span between January 2026 and April 2026.
Paul Cruikshank, defending, told Thursday’s sentencing: “He failed to appreciate the severity of the dogs’ conditions.
“He did not take adequate steps quickly enough.
“The dogs are now in the care of others, and he accepts that it’s best for them.”
Sheriff Bernard Ablett ordered McLaren to do 80 hours of unpaid work and disqualified him from owning animals for two years.
The sheriff said: “It should have been obvious to you that especially Maggie was suffering and required care from a vet.
“She had multiple painful wounds on her hind legs and was seeping discharge and causing her to scream out when she was touched.
“That was the condition she was in when you had the dog.
“You really should have known the difficulties Maggie and Berti were experiencing.”
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