'Unnecessary suffering': Man given ban as dog put down after being starved

A man whose dog had to be put down after he starved her so badly that she resorted to eating slugs and snails has been given an animal ban.

Andrew McLaughlin, from Inverclyde, was sentenced at Greenock Sheriff Court after failing to properly feed his bulldog Luna and to seek veterinary attention for a worm infestation.

Scottish SPCA officers arranged a meeting at McLaughlin’s home in Port Glasgow after Luna’s body was handed into a Glasgow vet practice in December 2024.

A vet confirmed that Luna weighed 10.5kg when her average weight is expected to be 23kg, as per The Kennel Club breed standard.

Pictures sent to the SPCA showed every rib, hip and part of her spine visible, with no fat or muscle on the dog’s body.

The vet noted that Luna would have been “significantly suffering” due to her emaciated condition and was left in unnecessary pain, distress and lasting harm.

Subjected to ‘unnecessary pain and suffering’

Two Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA interviewed McLaughlin, who explained that he had tried to feed Luna up as she had been losing weight for about a month and a half.

The Scottish SPCA obtained previous veterinary history for Luna, which showed that she was taken to the vet in October 2021 for an ear infection and received treatment. At the time, she weighed 21.4kg.

In October 2024, McLaughlin called and asked for an estimate for euthanasia as she had lost weight.

Following a post mortem, the vet concluded that Luna had suffered from starvation, which is supported by the presence of undigested food in her stomach proving that she wanted to and was able to consume food.

It was noted that Luna had an infection due to the consumption of slugs and/or snails or drinking water frequented by infected slugs/snails, in the absence of available food.

McLaughlin has been handed a lifetime ban from owning or keeping a dog.

He was also given a Community Payback Order and a restriction of liberty order for 46 weeks, as well as being placed under supervision for 12 months.

A Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “This was a case of gross neglect by McLaughlin. If Luna had received prompt vet attention when McLaughlin called the vet back in October 2024, it is possible that she could have made a full recovery or at the very least if she was euthanised, she would not have been subjected to prolonged suffering.

“Luna died from her owner’s failure to seek vet attention and provide her with adequate nutrition, causing her to suffer for around two months prior to her death.

“This was a truly heartbreaking outcome but we are glad that justice has been achieved for Luna.”