News / Glasgow & West

Starving dogs found living in ‘dirty, cluttered’ home

Man banned from owning dogs for five years and fined £200.

Starving dogs found living in ‘dirty, cluttered’ home — Neglected: Dogs Zara and Bobo. Scottish SPCA

STV News

27th Jul 2020

A man has been banned from owning dogs for five years after his pets were found “severely underweight” and living in “dirty and cluttered” conditions.

Andrew William McPherson admitted failing to provide a nutritionally adequate diet or veterinary treatment for Zara, a seven-year-old female German Shepherd and Bobo, a 16-year-old male crossbreed.

The 39-year-old of Harris Place, Airdrie, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and for failing to provide vet treatment for the dogs.

In addition to a ban, he was handed a £200 fine.

Scottish SPCA inspector Emma Sergeant said McPherson had been known to the animal welfare charity since 2018.

She added: “We have tried on several occasions to provide him with guidance and advice on how to care for his animals.

Deterioration: The dogs were severely underweight. <strong>Scottish SPCA</strong>”/><cite class=cite></cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true>Deterioration: The dogs were severely underweight. <strong>Scottish SPCA</strong> <cite class=hidden></cite></figcaption></figure><p>“After some improvement in the condition of Zara and Bobo following our initial intervention, we were frustrated and disappointed to see the deterioration in the dogs when we attended the address in September 2019.</p><p>“The living conditions were dirty and cluttered, with piles of litter on the floor and household items stacked in other rooms, making them inaccessible.</p><p>“The dogs were severely underweight with both their hip bones and ribs visible. Their nails were also very overgrown, which would have caused the animals a lot of discomfort.</p><p>“During our visit, some dog food was accidentally spilled on the floor and the dogs were so hungry they began to fight each other for the food.</p><p>“On veterinary examination it was established that the dogs had no underlying medical conditions and they easily put on weight while in our care.</p><p>“It would have taken months for the dogs to get into the condition they did. This did not happen overnight.”</p><p>The dogs’ health improved in the care of the Scottish SPCA and they have since been rehomed.</p><p>If anyone suspects an animal has been neglected or abandoned they should call the Scottish SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on <strong>03000 999 999</strong>.</p><div class=

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