A Glasgow couple who neglected their dogs and allowed them to waste away have been banned from keeping animals for six years.
Chantelle Margaret Angela Crossan, 24, and Liam McLachlan, 23, were investigated over the condition of Staffordshire bull terrier Kenzo and cane corso-cross Tyson.
Three-year-old Kenzo was found to be underweight, with her hips and spine visible.
Five-month-old Tyson was emaciated, with his ribs visible and hip bones and spine showing prominently beneath his fur. His skin was also described as dry and flaky, with some hair loss around his legs and face.
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The dogs were removed and taken to a vet for treatment after the Scottish SPCA attended at the couple’s home in January 2022 following complaints to the charity’s helpline.
One witness had reported hearing noises coming from the property which sounded like the dogs were fighting. A separate report raised concerns over the pets’ weight.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Laura McIntyre said: “Both dogs were immediately taken to be examined by a vet who confirmed that Kenzo was very underweight and that no injuries or underlying conditions were evident.
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“Tyson was emaciated. His legs had very little muscle and his groin had thin, taught skin as there was so little tissue due to his malnutrition.
“He had hair loss on both thighs which was attributed to his malnutrition. He had mild redness in his right ear and one of his testicles was not fully developed.
“Due to the absence of any injuries or obvious underlying conditions, the vet’s opinion was that this low body condition was due to chronic underfeeding and negligence.”
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The Scottish SPCA said the vet estimated that it would have taken at least three months for the dogs to get to this condition.
CI McIntyre said: “This has been exacerbated in the case of Tyson as he was such a young puppy and would have needed extra nutrition to maintain condition and to develop appropriately.
“The long-term effects of malnutrition at this stage may still impact him in the future.”
Crossan and McLachlan admitted failing to obtain appropriate pain relief and veterinary treatment for their underweight pets.
The pair pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court last month and were sentenced on 7 June. As well as the six-year ban, Crossan was ordered to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work and McLachlan 120 hours.
CI McIntyre welcomed the ban but said the Scottish SPCA would have liked it to be longer.
She said: “We are pleased that both Crossan and McLachlan have been banned from owning or keeping animals but, given the level of neglect, we would have liked it to be for a longer period of time.”
