Agony of eight dogs
Larkhall man gets five-year ban for lack of care
A Larkhall man has been banned from keeping dogs after mistreating eight of them.
Jordan Steel (24), of West Clyde Street, failed to provide adequate care and treatment for the dogs between March 7 and April 22 last year.
The dogs suffered weight loss and fleas.
A man has been banned from keeping dogs after mistreating eight of them at his Larkhall home.
Jordan Steel, of West Clyde Street, had failed to provide adequate care and treatment for the dogs – which included lurchers, Patterdale terrier-type dogs and spaniels – between March 7 and April 22 last year.
The dogs suffered from weight loss, flea infestation, mite infection, ear wax, hair loss and skin conditions.
Steel had admitted a charge contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
It stated that 24-year-old Steel had failed to take steps to ensure that the needs of the animals were met and that he had failed to provide the animals with a suitable diet.
An undercover Scottish SPCA inspector, who had attended at Steel’s home, this week spoke about what was discovered at his house, saying: “When we visited the property it was clear that all eight dogs were underweight, with a number of them scoring a one – the lowest score – on a body conditioning scoring system.
“The dogs required treatment for chronic skin conditions and flea infestation, which they weren’t receiving.
“Steel has been banned from owning dogs for the next five years.
“However, the court has allowed that he will at times be required to provide exercise for his mother’s dog that still resides at the property.
“We’re pleased the courts have handed down this sentence and hope that Steel seriously considers his suitability to own and care for animals in the future.”
The charge had originally stated that Steel had also failed to provide the dogs with appropriate and adequate nutrition whereby the dogs lost body weight and became emaciated. However, mention of this was deleted from the charge.
At Hamilton Sheriff Court last week, Sheriff David Bicket ordered Steel to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work within six months as an alternative to custody.
The term was reduced from 150 hours due to his guilty plea.
It was clear that all eight dogs were underweight