Man banned from having pets for life after admitting neglect

Sheriff says animals’ suffering ‘must have been very great indeed’

A Fife man has been banned from owning or keeping pets for the rest of his life after admitting five charges of “appalling” neglect.

Appearing for sentence at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, Paul Kyle, 25, of Martin Crescent, Ballingry, narrowly avoided a jail term, with Sheriff Alastair Thornton imposing 270 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard how Kyle had caused his dog Mercury and his cats Mars and Jupiter unnecessary suffering at his home, although it emerged Kyle himself had telephoned the Scottish SPCA on the evening of May 1, “very upset” after finding Mercury lying dead with blood coming out of his mouth.

“I’ve heard some pretty appalling details about this case and the state of these animals,” Sheriff Thornton told

Kyle.

“The neglect seems to be quite extreme and the suffering of these animals, two of which are at least still alive, must have been very great indeed.”

Kyle admitted causing suffering to Mercury by failing to provide care and treatment and failing to obtain advice or treatment from a vet over the dog’s poor body and health conditions.

He also admitted abandoning Mercury in such circumstances as were likely to cause the dog unnecessary suffering, failing to obtain vet advice or treatment for its face and neck injury and failing to provide adequate nutrition and hydration.

Kyle further admitted abandoning, without reasonable excuse, Mars and Jupiter in circumstances likely to expose them to faeces and failed to provide ventilation, nutrition and hydration.

The final charge, which was also admitted, stated that Kyle failed provide ventilation, lighting, comfortable and clean resting areas, nutrition and hydration and appropriate facilities for the cats to urinate and defecate.

Paul Kyle was sentenced to 270 hours of unpaid work.