The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife owner’s neglect caused puppy to die from infected jaw
Sean Burns banned from keeping animals ahead of sentencing
A Kirkcaldy man has been banned from keeping animals after causing unnecessary suffering to a German shepherd puppy that later died from a badly infected jaw.
Sean Burns admitted failing to seek adequate treatment for nine-month-old Lexi, which was left unable to stand and suffering from internal bleeding.
The 27-year-old owner had initially taken the pup to the vet, who prescribed painkillers and a lengthy course of antibiotics to treat the painful cut on August 22 2017.
The labourer failed to take her for follow-up treatment due to financial issues. The infection took hold in the weeks leading up to her death.
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court was told how the vet who first treated Lexi noted the soft tissue in her jaw was so badly infected it had started to smell.
Depute fiscal Mina Poppius said: “On September 9 2017, Burns left Lexi in the care of his neighbours, who noticed that the dog appeared to be very unwell.
“The witness said that the dog was just lying there. They went to give the dog some food but she would not eat and was unable to stand and kept falling over.
“They made several calls to the accused stating that the dog was unwell and that he needed to take it to the vet.
“Despite being told that the dog was in a critical condition, he told the witness not to seek emergency vet treatment.
“Lexi passed away in the early hours of September 10.”
The court was told Burns collected his pet’s body and buried her in woodland near Kirkcaldy. The dog was tracked down and seized by the Scottish SPCA who carried out an examination of her remains before determining the infected jaw and internal bleeding killed her.
Defence solicitor Christine Hagan told the court her client did not own any other animals and he was fit for unpaid work as a form of punishment.
Sheriff James Williamson banned Burns from being the owner of any animals and said he would determine the length of the ban following reports.
Burns, of Valley Gardens South, will reappear on September 3.
A Scottish SPCA undercover inspector said, “We are pleased Burns has pled guilty following our investigation.”
“Despite being told the dog was in a critical condition, he told the witness not to seek emergency vet treatment. DEPUTE FISCAL MINA POPPIUS