Sheriff ‘disgusted’ by treatment of sick pet

A DOG owner branded “disgusting” after gagging her pet with duct tape and leaving it without food or water to go on holiday has been banned from keeping any animal for 15 years.

Elizabeth Steel, 44, left the Collie cross, called Rio, after covering its face with a taped-on muzzle so it couldn’t bark.

Steel was given 18 months supervision and an 80-day tagging order yesterday by Sheriff Alistair Watson.

Sheriff Watson said he had considered jailing Steel, adding: “Ordinary members of the public would be absolutely shocked about what you did here and when I heard the circumstances, I was disgusted.” Police forced entry to Steel’s home in

BY RECORD REPORTER

Kilmarnock after a neighbour heard whimpering and spotted the stricken dog through a window. Rio was infested with fleas and suffering from sores and a skin condition, the town’s sheriff court heard.

Steel admitted causing unnecessary suffering by taping a muzzle to the dog’s face, denying it food, water or a means of escape and failing to provide adequate care and treatment between July 18 and 19.

Blaire Ford, prosecuting, said an upstairs neighbour could hear whimpering below and knew Steel had gone on holiday the day before, for the weekend. She added: “He looked through the kitchen window and observed the dog locked within the kitchen with a muzzle on, which was wrapped with black tape, and noted that there was no food or water.”

Officers broke in using a battering ram after seeing Rio – who has since been rehomed – lying motionless.

Sheriff Watson told Steel: “On reading the terms of the background report I am persuaded you are a foolish person who has behaved disgracefully towards the animal but not with a cruel intention.

“You and animals will not be coming close for the near future.”

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We hope Steel will seriously consider her ability to care for any other pets in the future.”