Dog breeder ordered not to keep snakes

Neglected animals found

A man has been banned from keeping snakes and ferrets after an investigation by animal welfare officers.

William Scott, 61, was also fined £420 having admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a snake and five ferrets at his home in Elliot Crescent, East Kilbride, over a two-month period in 2022.

Hamilton Sheriff Court, pictured, heard he failed to provide adequate food, water and living conditions. Animal welfare inspectors found the snake to be emaciated and suffering from infected lesions.

One of the ferrets was also significantly underweight and had a skin condition associated with dehydration.

His plea of not guilty to a charge of neglecting a lurcher dog was accepted.

Sheriff Colin Dunipace banned Scott from keeping or owning snakes and ferrets for five years.

However, the sheriff rejected the prosecution’s request to have him disqualified from keeping dogs.

Defence solicitor Gary Young said his client is a lifelong dog breeder who would not “knowingly” cause unnecessary suffering to any animal.

But he added: “He accepts that the lifestyle he was leading at that time had an adverse effect on the animals.

“His own living conditions were very poor due to his poor mental and physical health.

“It seems he has made a concerted effort to restore his home to its former state.”

A lurcher dog, Astor, was also taken from Scott by the inspectors and rehomed pending the outcome of the court case.

Young described Scott as “some kind of authority on hunting-type dogs”.

The solicitor added: “He accepts there would have been significant veterinary bills in respect of his animals, but he is a genuine animal-lover and has learned his lesson.”