Tweedbank man banned for ten years after starving dogs causing severe disease

A man has been banned from owning animals for ten years after starving two dogs who were found suffering from severe disease.

Crawford Hull, of Tweedbank, appeared at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday and was handed a decade-long ban from owning or possessing any mammals after severely neglecting his two dogs.

Hull was also handed a community payback order. He admitted to charges of causing suffering to two dogs – Ollie, a three-year-old Labrador, and Pablo, a four-year-old Spaniel.

A Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) inspector attended the property with officers from Police Scotland after a report of concern for the welfare of the dogs was made to the society’s Helpline.

An SSPCA inspector said: “Upon arriving to the property, I was able to confirm that both dogs were extremely thin. They were being kept inside a single, small cage without any water or food available.

“The property was also extremely hot and when both dogs were let out of the cage for assessment, they ran about frantically and licked at an empty bowl. Both appeared to be very thirsty.”

After reviewing Ollie and Pablo’s living conditions and establishing their poor health, the SSPCA inspector took them for urgent veterinary treatment.

Hull allowed Ollie and Pablo to become significantly underweight and lose substantial muscle mass.

The vet examining them concluded that the most likely cause for the poor body condition was underfeeding and lack of exercise.

In addition to being malnourished, Ollie had an injury to his chest, irritated skin and hair loss, and Pablo had overgrown nails and severe dental disease.

It was then decided it was in the best interest of the dogs to keep them in the care of the Scottish SPCA for rehabilitation and care.

The Scottish SPCA inspector added: “Hull allowed for his dogs to suffer unnecessarily by failing to feed them a good diet or even give them adequate water which would have alleviated their suffering.

“In addition to this, he also failed to seek veterinary treatment for Ollie’s skin condition or Pablo’s dental disease.

“Issuing a ban on Hull being able to have custody on animals is the only way to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”

Both Ollie and Pablo are now in good health after rehabilitation with the Scottish SPCA and have been rehomed.

The Scottish SPCA inspector added: “We are pleased with the outcome and the court’s decision. This case is a step in the right direction for animal welfare in Scotland.”

The Scottish SPCA 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.

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