A woman from Kilbirnie who was fostering several dogs for a charity has been handed a three-year ban on owning or keeping animals as well as a 12-month supervision order for failing to provide a suitable environment for the five dogs in her care and seven cats. She also failed to provide veterinary treatment for two cats, Captain Jack and Davros, leading to them being euthanised due to the severity of their conditions.
45-year-old Jaqueline Fraser Wade of Borestone Avenue, Kilbirnie pled guilty on 12 May 2023 at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and was sentenced at the same court on 5 June 2023.
Wade had been fostering dogs for Wales-based charity, Pointers in Need, since 2020 and claimed to only have been given one home check during this period.
Scottish SPCA inspector, Inspector Bell, said, “We attended the property on 28 June 2022, following a complaint to our animal helpline that there was a strong smell of urine coming from the property and a large amount of dog faeces in the garden.
“No one was at home but dogs could be heard barking inside, and there was a noticeable stench of ammonia when a calling card was put through the letter box.
“Jaqueline Fraser Wade called our animal helpline in response to the calling card and we arranged to meet her at the property the following day. When we arrived, Wade was in the garden with four of the dogs and one of the dogs was inside the house barking. The garden was very messy, overgrown and covered in dog faeces.
“Wade then took us into the kitchen area of the property, where all the surfaces were piled high with clothing, food and rubbish. The small pathway through the kitchen into the hallway was congested with clothing and rubbish and the flooring was caked in thick dirt, grime and faeces.
“The hallway and living room were the same, all flooring and surfaces thick with filth and trampled in faeces. The smell of ammonia in the property was so strong it caused our inspectors’ eyes to sting. The bedding on the sofa in the living room was filthy and covered in faeces and mud. The cats’ litter trays were also filthy and there were faeces, urine and mud splattered on the walls.
“Upstairs, conditions were worse. In one of the upstairs bedrooms, there were three bedframes pushed together, two of which were full and overflowing with faeces resembling a grotesquely large, neglected litter tray.
“Wade stated that this was for Daegan, a 10-year-old German pointer, who she couldn’t walk or have out in the garden due to him being too strong on the lead and barking at neighbours. Instead, the bedframe was being used as a toilet for him.
“Due to the conditions in the property, and concerns for their welfare, we immediately removed all the animals. This included Daegan, as well as a seven-year-old pointer named Jenny, a six-year-old pointer named Dougal, a 10-year-old pointer named Bodach, a six-year-old pointer named Winnie, and seven cats named Jamie, Davros, Murtagh, Angus, Time Lord, Briannia and Captain Jack.
“All of the animals were checked by a veterinary surgeon and Captain Jack was found to have a tumour on his tail as well as an ear infection. Davros the cat was found to have ear and dental issues. When questioned, Wade said she had been treating the tumour with a poultice of butter and sugar, as well as cleaning out Davros’ ears with Johnsons ear cleaner.
“The severity of Davros and Captain Jacks’ medical conditions was so advanced that they were both euthanised on veterinary advice to prevent further suffering.
“Four dogs who belonged to Pointers in Need have been returned into the care of the charity. The remaining dog, Daegan, and one cat, Time Lord, were signed into the care of the Scottish SPCA. Wade refused to relinquish the remaining four cats and a decision notice was served to transfer ownership to the Scottish SPCA to protect their welfare. No appeal against this was made.
“This was a case of gross neglect, and the living conditions within the accused’s property were the worst that I have seen during my three years as a Scottish SPCA inspector.
“Anyone would have been able to see that the conditions within the property were far from suitable for any person let alone an animal to have to endure.
“Wade showed a complete lack of understanding as to how to provide a suitable environment for an animal and how to treat an animal when they have an injury or ailment.
“It’s great that Wade has been banned from owning or keeping animals but, given the level of neglect, we would have liked it to be for a longer period of time.
“If anyone is concerned about the welfare of an animal they can call our confidential helpline on 03000 999 999.”
