'Skin and bones': Dog dies after being starved by owner

A pet owner has been banned from keeping animals after his dog had to be put down due to starvation.

Crossbreed dog Rambo was put to sleep weighing just 15.6kg – half of what he had weighed a year before.

Owner John Campbell, of Blantyre, South Lanakshire, was given a three-year ban from owning, keeping and taking charge of animals and a £1000 fine.

He pled guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment and a nutritionally adequate diet.

Animal welfare chiefs were alerted to reports of a dog with protruding bones at the start of this year.

Scottish SPCA inspector, Sian Robertson, said, “On January 18, we received a call to our animal helpline about a dog who was ‘skin and bones’ with his rib, spine and hip bones protruding.

“After multiple visits, we finally met Campbell at his property in Blantyre on January 26.

“We were advised that Rambo was no longer in the care of Campbell, as he had signed him over in the last few days to the animal charity that he had rehomed him from.

“When Rambo was examined at the veterinary hospital he was found to be in a horrific state, and given a body condition score of one.

“This is the lowest possible score meaning he was extremely emaciated.

“Campbell had disclosed that Rambo had stopped eating in July 2020, and it is believed that he had gone in to kidney failure as a result.

“He was just 15.6kg, meaning he had lost 14.2kg since he was last weighed at the end of 2018.

“Sadly, due to the extent of his malnutrition and Campbell’s failure to seek veterinary attention Rambo was put to sleep on veterinary advice.

“I could not believe the condition Rambo was in.

“He is the most emaciated dog I have seen so far in my career and he undoubtedly suffered.

“His rib cage protruded so much that you could count every single rib in his body, and it was an extremely distressing sight that I will never forget.

“It is unimaginable how Campbell could live with Rambo and not think to seek urgent veterinary advice.

“This poor dog also had alopecia on his neck, thinning fur on his legs, tail and underside, and severely overgrown nails indicating that he was not walked very often.

“Campbell completely failed his dog, and caused him an unnecessary amount of suffering over a prolonged period of time.

“We’re pleased that Campbell has received a fine and three-year ban, but it is disappointing that he did not receive a life time ban for this level of neglect.

“We hope he seriously considers his ability to care for any animals in the future.”