Arbroath man fined and banned from keeping animals after failing to are for pet dog

A man from Arbroath has been fined £150 and banned from owning or keeping animals for two years following an investigation by the Scottish SPCA.
Mark Dowie
By Mark Dowie
Published 2nd Sep 2022, 15:00 GMT
The decision to have Mac put to sleep was taken after veterinary advice.The decision to have Mac put to sleep was taken after veterinary advice.
The decision to have Mac put to sleep was taken after veterinary advice.

Jason Louis McAndrew, 45, of Marketgate, Arbroath, pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary care for his nine-year-old Belgian shepherd, Mac, at Forfar Sherriff Court on August 4.

Karen Cooper, Scottish SPCA inspector, said that the case began when the charity was called by a member of the public on October 22, 2020, who was concerned about an injured dog at an address in Arbroath.

She said: “The dog was taken to a nearby veterinary surgery. Mac was later transported to a Scottish SPCA animal rescue and rehoming centre for further care and attention.

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“Veterinary examination revealed wounds down his legs and around his scrotum, where the top layer of skin was no longer present. The wound was clearly very tender as Mac was unwilling to let anyone near it. All of the wounds were infected and weeping discharge which had become matted in to the hair around them.

“There was an obvious pungent smell coming from Mac and he was extremely sore because of his wounds.

“Later test results showed that Mac had an auto immune condition where his body was attacking its own skin. This was likely to have been a condition that built up over time and was present for months if not years.

“His condition was potentially treatable and leaving his condition untreated led to Mac being caused unnecessary suffering for a prolonged period of time.

McAndrew signed Mac in to the care of the Scottish SPCA on October 26 but the entent of his injuries meant that the decision had to be taken to put him to sleep on veterinary advice.

Ms Cooper added: “We would have hoped to have seen a lengthier ban as McAndrew was responsible for the welfare of Mac and sadly his needs were not met.

“We understand that veterinary treatment can be expensive, but ignoring Mac’s condition was not the way to handle the situation and caused him an unnecessary amount of suffering.

“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”