Two plead guilty over dog’s suffering

An Airdrie couple whose neglect of their dog led to it being put down have pled guilty to causing their family pet “unnecessary suffering”.

James and Jacqueline McGrory, of Oronsay Road in Petersburn, didn’t take collie Penny for veterinary treatment despite visible alopecia and sores all over her body.

Following an anonymous call to the Scottish SPCA in May, Penny was taken from the couple for immediate treatment. However, after failing to respond she was put to sleep so as not to “extend her suffering”.

At Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, the procurator fiscal said: “An inspector from the Scottish SPCA attended the locus after a call about a dog suffering from hair loss and sores.

“The dog was a black and tan female collie called Penny and she had a skin complaint and was struggling on her feet.

“The home had a bad smell and Mr McGrory was cautioned and told he was under investigation for neglect.”

It was the opinion of the SPCA that Penny had been unecessarily neglected for a few weeks. She was transferred to a rehoming centre and classified as grossly obese.

The animal also had a bacterial infection and “pus” leaked from her sores. She yelped in pain when touched and it was decided that she be euthanised to avoid extending her suffering.

A post-mortem suggestion that Penny had been exposed to a toxic substance was not proven.

The fiscal added: “The vet said that ‘any sensible owner would have presented Penny at a vet earlier’.

“But the failure to do so meant the condition became irreversible.”

In mitigation, the pair’s defence solicitor Luke O’Curry told the court: “They are very anxious about this and both are in full employment.

“They rescued Penny themselves and cared for her. There was a development of alopecia that they tried to deal with on the advice of Pets at Home.

“They initially thought the sores were improving but they came back in some force.

“They admit they should have taken her to the vet.

“When she arrived at the vet on May 7 her suffering was quickly brought to a conclusion.”

He added: “They both dearly loved this dog and just wanted to hang onto her for a bit longer.

“They can pay a financial penalty and have never been in court before.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri said: “I hear everything that has been said, but I don’t want to deal with this until I know what the Scottish SPCA had to spend on the vet bills.

“I’ll defer until October 17 for further investigation and deal with this then.”

Unnecessary neglect Penny had to be put down because of her suffering