Woman in breach of animal ban
A Carluke woman who was banned from keeping animals for 15 years was recently caught with pets living in her home.
Margaretthomson Forsyth was originally hit with the lengthy ban in 2006 in one of Scotland’s most shocking cases of animal neglect.
The 56-year-old had three poodles living in squalor, failed to care for them, and two of the pets eventually had to be put down by Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).
Forsyth, of Unitas Crescent, was back at Lanark Sheriff Court again recently after pleading guilty to breaching her disqualification order.
Commenting on the court case, Scottish SPCA Inspector Emma Sergeant, said:“forsyth was originally charged with a 15 year disqualification from keeping any animal with £540 compensation fine by Lanark Sheriff Court in August 2006.
“Forsyth was recently found to be in breach of this ban with animals living in her home.
“The animals in her care were a 12-year-old Jack Russell dog, a 15-year-old female domestic shorthaired cat, and a budgie.
“Forsyth was charged in 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering to three dogs in her care that were found to be seriously neglected.
“Though there were no welfare issues with the animals in her care during the breach of the ban, she did not comply with the law.
“We welcome the fact that this case has been dealt with and the sentence handed down.we hope Forsyth will now comply with the law and uphold the timeframe of her ban.”
Forysth hit the headlines 12 years ago after SSPCA inspectors discovered she had kept her three poodles locked in her kitchen and refused to walk, groom or clip them.
They had overgrown hair and claws, horrendous dental problems and their eyes had to be prised open because of conjunctivitis.
Two of the dogs were in such poor health that the SSPCA chose to end their suffering by putting them down.
Forsyth admitted causing the dogs unnecessary suffering and her lawyer said that she had fallen on hard times and could no longer cope with looking after the dogs.
She was also ordered to pay the SSPCA £540 in compensation for vet bills.