The Scottish SPCA has hit out after a vile pet owner who left his dog with horrific injuries during savage beatings has escaped a lifetime ownership ban or prison sentence.
Evil John Haxton first came to the attention of the animal welfare charity in 2018 after neighbours reported seeing him abusing Roxy in the street.
They also claimed to hear what sounded like the Staffordshire bull terrier cross being beaten inside Haxton’s home in Murrayburn Green, Edinburgh.
Charity inspectors visited the address but found no evidence at that time to support the reports meaning they could only issue warnings to the owner. But in May 2020, two members of the public spotted the 29-year-old brute viciously beating Roxy in the street and intervened by taking her from him.
She was rushed to the vets, where medics found she was bleeding from the eye, had cuts across her body and her neck had significant swelling. A further examination revealed she was suffering from blindness caused by blunt force trauma, arthritis and a serious hip injury as the result of a kick.
Due to her “immense pain and suffering”, vets decided the kindest thing to do was to put Roxy to sleep on welfare grounds.
Haxton, who now lives in Dysart, Fife, has been handed a five-year ban on owning pets as well as a 300-hour community payback order.
SSPCA Inspector Fiona Thorburn has said they are “extremely disappointed” that Haxton was not given a custodial sentence or a lengthier ban given the harrowing abuse.
She said: “The level of suffering inflicted on Roxy in Haxton’s care is unimaginable. She was put to sleep as a direct result of Haxton’s actions. We had hoped he would never be allowed to care for an animal ever again.
“We are extremely disappointed given the severity of the injuries Haxton inflicted on Roxy that he did not receive a lengthier ban or custodial sentence. Haxton had opportunities to relinquish ownership of his dog were he not coping but he refused and instead her suffering continued.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the two members of the public who witnessed Haxton beating Roxy in public and removed her from his care. Her injuries were so severe that who knows what would have happened if they hadn’t intervened.”
She told how the case will have a lasting impact on everyone who dealt with it and who tirelessly worked to bring Haxton to justice.
Detailing Roxy’s injuries, she added: “The post-mortem showed that there had been bleeding to Roxy’s eyes for at least two days. The bleeding is generally associated with trauma to the eye and, in this case, to both of Roxy’s eyes.
“Her retinae were detached at least three days before her death which supports claims that Roxy was regularly beaten by Haxton. The vet concluded that Roxy had been caused severe unnecessary suffering as a result of the beating she received on May 2, 2020, and that the injuries sustained were a result of blunt trauma to her face, head and abdomen.
“She would have been caused immeasurable physical and mental pain and she was left terrified and anxious of human contact. It would have been clear to any responsible owner that Roxy needed emergency veterinary treatment.
“We liaised with the vet Roxy was registered with and found that earlier in 2020, she had been kicked so badly that she suffered a dislocated hip. Surgery to repair the injury was booked in but not taken forward. This is a very harrowing case and one that will stay with me and, I’m sure, everyone involved.
“However, we wouldn’t recommend people put themselves in any danger in this sort of situation and to call Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA should they witness a crime such as this.”
Haxton was convicted of causing an animal suffering through abuse and failing to seek veterinary treatment.
If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact the Scottish SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
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