A Perth man has been handed a 12-month supervision order and to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work following a Scottish SPCA investigation which saw 50 dogs and 16 cats, including puppies and kittens, seized from appalling conditions.
30-year-old Daanyaal Chowdhury, of Glenalmond, Perth pled guilty on 25 May at Perth Sheriff Court to causing unnecessary suffering through failing to provide veterinary treatment, a suitable environment or adequate diet for his animals. He was also granted an order last month preventing him from owning, keeping or dealing in animals for five years.
Scottish SPCA inspector, Katherine Aitchison, said “We first became aware of Daanyaal Chowdhury and the premises at Glenalmond in 2019 when concerns were raised about the living conditions of dogs at the property.
“We had worked with Chowdhury on numerous occasions and he had always provided access to the property and followed advice given.
“However, in September 2020 we began to receive numerous calls to our animal helpline regarding concerns for animals on the property. Chowdhury refused to allow our inspectors access to the premises and a warrant was sought.
“The warrant was due to be executed on 28 October, but on 23 October we received a further complaint from a veterinary practice in Perthshire after Chowdhury presented a female, German shepherd named Sophie suffering from a skin condition.
“Sophie’s skin was in an extremely poor condition with large, ulcerated, bleeding and infected wounds which were extremely foul-smelling. The vet who examined Sophie described her condition as the worst they had seen during their career.
“Sophie was immediately seized and taken to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres to receive the treatment she needed and secure her welfare.
“On 28 October the warrant was executed at the premises in Glenalmond. Inside the house we found groups of young puppies and larger kittens. The stench of faeces and urine was extremely strong. All areas were dirty, wet and the puppies themselves were dirty. No food or water was evident in most rooms.
“Outside the property in the home-made kennels there were multiple large breed dogs and separate kennels with adult cats. Most of the dogs appeared to be in reasonable body condition but all had faeces and urine in their areas. In one kennel, chicken bones had been thrown in, presumably as food. The chicken bones were on the same floor that the dogs had to walk, lie, sleep, and defecate on and were contaminated in the faeces that were present and smeared inside all of the kennels.
“Most kennels did not have any bedding and some no shelter from the elements. Some of these kennels also had no natural or artificial light and all inside areas were dark. The dogs themselves appeared to be desperate to get out and had eaten through areas exposing holes and gnawed wood.
“The cats’ living areas again were excessively dirty to the point that litter boxes were overflowing and the floor was covered in faeces. No water was available to the cats and the walls and roofing were visibly mouldy and wet.
“There were pallets throughout the property to walk on, the remaining areas were covered in rubbish, weeds and broken items. The ground was severely saturated and boggy throughout.
“The animals were seized and taken to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres to be examined by a vet. Tests revealed that many of the dogs were positive for a wide array of parasitic, coccidial and bacterial faecal pathogens and all of the cats were infected with giardia.
Some of the pathogens identified were zoonotic, meaning that animals sold from this premises represented a potential public health risk.
“Several of the dogs and cats seized were found to be pregnant and went on to give birth to litters in the centre. The vast majority of animals seized were female, suggesting they were not pets but being used for breeding.
“One Bengal kitten was found to have neurological symptoms, including a head tilt, and severe cat flu that had been left untreated for so long that it led to changes in the bones in her airways. She was therefore put to sleep to prevent further suffering.
“A Spanish mastiff, named Dolly, was suffering from a severe skin condition which left her so visibly red and sore that it would have been impossible for any responsible owner not to notice it.
“All of the cats were suffering from ear mites, seven of the group had conjunctivitis and eight had inflamed gums.
“Seven of the adult German shepherds were suffering from hip dysplasia at varying degrees of severity but in some cases causing major instability of the joints and long-term osteoarthritis pain. None of the dogs appeared to have been treated previously for this.
“One puppy had had their left foreleg amputated and the surgical wound was infected and oozing pus.
“We are extremely disappointed at this lenient sentencing considering the appalling conditions these animals were kept in. The dogs and cats in his care clearly suffered and a harsher sentencing should have been given.
“Chowdhury has undoubtedly shown that he was not able to provide his animals with the care they needed, and we would have hoped this to be reflected in a ban on owning or keeping animals.”
“If anyone is concerned about the welfare of an animal they can call our confidential helpline on 03000 999 999.”
