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Pet owner’s lifetime ban for dog neglect
A MAN whose dog had to be put down after it was found in a Rothesay flat covered in its own filth was banned for life from keeping pets when he appeared at the town’s sheriff court this week.
The dog, a tan-coloured cross breed named Robbie, was brought to Bute and Cowal Vets in Argyle Street by an officer from the SSPCA after its owner left it in the care of a friend while he went to look for work in the Aberdeen area.
William Thomson (48), whose address was given as 77 Martin Avenue, Irvine, admitted a charge under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the animal’s needs were met by leaving it in conditions of poor hygiene, covered in its own faeces and urine, letting its coat become matted and its claws become overgrown and failing to seek veterinary treatment for a tumour-like growth and advanced dental disease.
Thomson’s solicitor, Robert Dundas, said his client was “genuinely ashamed” of his failure to provide the veterinary support the animal needed.
Sheriff Ruth Anderson told Thomson: “This is appalling. You don’t need me to remind you of that.
“I’m not going to fine you in view of your restricted income, but that suggests to me that people on restricted incomes can’t afford to keep pets.”
* Also at Rothesay Sheriff Court on Monday, brothers Scott and David Dawson were fined after reacting aggressively to police called to a noise nuisance complaint at a flat in the town last November.
The incident occurred at 20-year-old Scott Dawson’s home at 18B Columshill Place on November 19; 21-year-old David Dawson, of 11 The Terrace, Ardbeg, also admitted obstructing police by blocking the hallway of the house to try and prevent the officers reaching his brother.
Scott Dawson was fined £200 and his brother David £250.
* More detail on the above cases in the new issue of The Buteman - on sale from Thursday, May 24.
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Weather for Rothesay
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
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Wind direction: North east
