A woman who failed to feed her dog causing organ failure that led to her death has been disqualified from owning any animals for life.
Liza Telfer, from Edinburgh, pled guilty to failing to provide her dog Bonnie, a one-year-old tan and white Old English bulldog with adequate nutrition or obtaining veterinary attention, which caused her to die of organ failure.
She was also guilty of failing to provide food and water and a suitable and hygienic environment to Lady a chocolate and caramel longhaired Old English Bulldog type dog and Yogi a tri-coloured Old English Bulldog type dog.
Telfer pled guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 29 January and was sentenced at the same court on Thursday 27 February. She has been made subject of a community payback order for 18 months.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Chalcroft said: “In November 2023 concerns were raised regarding three dogs who had been left in a property on their own for at least 10 days.
“We visited the property and observed squalid, uninhabitable conditions through the letterbox. A faint dog bark could be heard from inside, but the dog itself was not visible. However, we did see a tri-coloured Bulldog at a second-floor window, appearing to be in lean condition. As we left, a chocolate and caramel-coloured Bulldog poked its head through closed curtains on the ground floor. This confirmed that there were at least three dogs inside the property.
“Lisa Telfer was the tenant and owner of the dogs. We explained our reason for being there and expressed our concerns about the dogs’ welfare. Since she was in the process of moving, we arranged to visit the property in the next couple of days.
“Lisa Telfer and her son were present when we returned but Lisa Telfer was uncooperative and refused us access.
“Given the situation, we contacted Police Scotland, as the dogs inside the property might require urgent veterinary care.
“A dog, named Bonnie, was brought outside from within the property covered in a blue blanket. She emaciated and her skeletal bones were easily seen. She was dead.
“Telfer’s son ran off with the other two dogs, a tri-coloured Bulldog named Yogi, who was very thin, and a chocolate and caramel Bulldog named Lady, who appeared extremely thin. They were handed over a few days later.
“We explained the dogs would be removed under section 32 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and taken to a vet, as they both required veterinary attention.
“The postmortem evidence showed that Bonnie most likely died of organ failure associated with the severely malnourished state. The failure to seek veterinary attention will have resulted in stress and unnecessary suffering to Bonnie when she was alive.
“Lady and Yogi were examined by a vet and both dogs had suffered lack of adequate nutrition leading to weight loss.
“For both dogs it would take a minimum 2-4 weeks to deteriorate from a healthy body condition to the condition in which they were found.
“The living conditions for the dogs would have caused them fear, distress, and discomfort due to inadequate space, poor ventilation, lack of immediate outdoor access, no appropriate area for toileting, insufficient space to lie down comfortably.
“We are pleased that Telfer received a ban from owning any animals for life. The horrific conditions and the pain and suffering caused to these three dogs deserved a ban.
“To hear Bonnie’s last cries and have her handed over dead was extremely upsetting.”
