A man who neglected his cattle has been ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months
Douglas Duncan, from Knockando,Moray pled guilty of failing to provide sufficient food, and veterinary care causing loss of body condition and muscle wastage resulting in the death of two of his cows.
Duncan pled guilty on 13 March 2024 and was sentenced at Elgin Sheriff Court on Thursday, 20 February 2025.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Crockett reported: “We received a report from a witness that there were three cows in a barn stuck in the muck and unable to get up for some months at a farm in Knockando rented by Douglas Duncan.
“The witness further reported that they had been moved round the back of the barn, and they were alive and lying down, two beside each other and one further back.
“There was a plastic bucket with oats in it, but they could not reach it as they could not stand.
“We attended the property to view these cattle which we knew to be behind a stone shed. We were faced with a shocking sight of three emaciated young Shorthorn type heifers. All their bones were visible, and the skin stretched across them. Duncan said he had moved them out the barn the day before in the bucket of his tractor as they could not stand. They had been down for ten days he said.
“They were caked in dried muck, and one was dead. The heifers couldn’t stand and the ground beneath was flattened where they had been lying. There were buckets of barley and water in front of them, but they could not move to reach them.
“We immediately called for a vet who examined all three heifers and found their condition score to be close to being non-compatible with survival.
“It was agreed that one would be euthanised and that treatment would be given to the third heifer but if no improvement was made within 48 hours, then she too would be euthanised.
“We are extremely disappointed that Mr Duncan has only received unpaid work on this occasion as we do not feel this reflects the suffering caused to these cows over a period of months.
“We hope he will be more conscientious in future about ensuring any animal he owns receives the appropriate husbandry and veterinary care required.”
If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
