A woman from Glasgow has been handed a £180 fine with a £10 victim surcharge and a five- year ban on keeping animals following a Scottish SPCA investigation.
46-year-old Alice McClymont of Ryeside Road, Glasgow pled guilty to the charge of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide appropriate veterinary treatment for her four-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Tia, at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 26 January 2022. The plea was tendered in absence of the accused but with instructions by her solicitor.
Tia was found suffering from a skin and ear infection that was so severe that she had hair loss and broken skin all over her face and one eye was swollen shut.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Lara Vickery said, “In June 2019 we received a call about a dog at the address who had allergies, hair loss and was repeatedly scratching.
“We attended the property on the same day and were shocked by the condition of Tia, the dog in question.
“She had a swollen face and red, raw broken skin on top of her head and all over her right ear. Tia’s right eye was closed due to the swelling on that side of her face. The skin on her head and ears was crusty and her ears looked thickened and painful. There was also a foul odour and discharge coming from her ears which were a clear sign of infection. Tia’s ears were so painful that she flinched when anyone tried to touch them.
“Upon veterinary examination it was estimated that this problem had been going on for up to six months for Tia to get in to the condition she was in.
“McClymont had placed a cone around the dog’s head and duct taped a sock to her hind leg in an attempt to stop her scratching herself so she was obviously aware that the dog was in some discomfort.
“Once Tia was taken in to the care of the Scottish SPCA and given the appropriate veterinary treatment she was almost fully recovered within four weeks. This clearly highlights that she had a manageable condition and could be kept comfortable and pain-free with veterinary treatment.
“We’re pleased McClymont has received a ban but given the level of suffering Tia endured we would have liked it to have been for a longer period of time. We hope she seriously considers her ability to look after any animal in future.
“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
