Cruel dog owner to give SSPCA compensation

A CRUEL owner who starved his dog and caused it to lose half its body weight has been ordered to pay compensation to the Scottish SPCA.

Justin Williams caused his dog Keira to become “severely emaciated” over a three-month period at his home in Charleston last year.

Animal welfare officers were shocked at the pooch’s condition but thankfully they managed to bring Keira back to health. A sheriff ordered the 24-year-old to pay compensation to the SSPCA and banned Williams from owning animals for the next two years.

Dundee Sheriff Court previously heard how the alarm was raised by neighbours who became concerned about the dog’s condition.

When SSPCA officers attended, they found Keira weighed only 9.5kg.

The court heard that Keira’s nails were overgrown due to a lack of exercise. There were no other abnormalities found during the examination with the SSPCA officers concluding that Keira’s issues were due to inadequate nutrition.

Keira was taken to the SSPCA’s base at Petterden and Williams, of Elders Court, was later charged.

Williams pleaded guilty to causing the dog unnecessary suffering between August 3 and November 13 at an address on Craigowan Road by failing to provide Keira with appropriate care and treatment, failing to provide the dog with adequate nutrition and failing to seek vet advice for conditions the dog was suffering from.

Williams returned to the dock following the preparation of social work reports where he was ordered to pay £250 in compensation.