Dog owner fined £400 after pet is found starving and emaciated

A Ballingry man has been fined after his dog was found emaciated and apparently starving.

Robert Blackwood, 54, of Martin Crescent, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on or between January 29 and February 8, he caused the black whippet, named Jojo, unnecessary suffering by not seeking veterinary attention for it, and that this caused its emaciated condition.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said a Scottish SPCA officer visited Blackwood’s home on February 8, following a call from a member of the public who was concerned about a dog being neglected.

“The dog was struggling to walk and was thin,” she said.

“The officer was concerned the animal was not being fed properly.

“The dog was scavenging about in the garden looking for scraps of food.

“There were three other dogs in the house and they were in good condition.”

Blackwood told the Scottish SPCA worker he had financial problems and could not afford to take his dog to the vet.

He also claimed he was feeding Jojo two times a day.

The Scottish SPCA took the animal to its kennels and within 12 days Jojo had put on 12kg in weight.

Defence solicitor Ian Beatson said his client had taken the dog from its previous owner four years ago because it was not being looked after properly.

“It’s not a case that the dog wasn’t being fed but sometimes he would eat his food and sometimes he wouldn’t,” he said.

Sheriff Alison McKay fined Blackwood £400.