A heartless dog owner has been handed a fine after leaving a starving pooch locked in a kitchen that was filled with its faeces for days on end.
Michael Stobbs was approached by the Scottish SPCA at his home on February 1 2021 after a number of calls were made to the helpline regarding his Akita cross, Samson. The dog was found to have been living in disgusting and unsanitary conditions.
The animal experts found that the poorly pet was clearly underweight and investigators stated that his ribs and hips were showing through his skin which was itchy and infected. The vulnerable Akita was also found to have suffered from hair loss and his eyes were leaking a yellow discharge.
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They also found that Samson’s inner ears also looked tender and infected whilst his claws were overgrown to the point they were beginning to displace the alignment of his toes.
The kitchen he was trapped in via a bolted door was covered in litter and had dangerous items such as cutlers, potato peeling, old food containers, cans and mouldy milk cartons lying on the floor. Faeces could be seen spread across the kitchen unit, the Daily Record reports.
There were no dog bowls in place and just empty food containers. Inspector Nicola Liddell on the inspection in Fife said: “We attended Mr Stobbs’ property in response to calls about a dog that had been left alone in the property for a number of days.
“On knocking hard at the door a muffled bark was heard indicating the dog was shut away in another room. Stobbs wasn’t home but returned to the property shortly after our arrival.
"Samson was very friendly in nature and was delighted to see us.
“Stobbs freely admitted to having left Samson unattended for four days, blaming the weather conditions for preventing him from tending to his dog.
“Samson was locked in the kitchen and the door was secured shut with a screwdriver jammed into the door surround which Stobbs used a hammer to remove.
"When given water, Samson drank thirstily. Stobbs also gave him a small amount of food which he ate ravenously. Even though he was so thirsty and hungry, Samson sat and waited until he was told to take it."
Nicola continued: “We took Samson to be examined by a vet who found no underlying health problems that could explain his low body weight.
“During his ear examination, Samson howled in pain. The chronic eye infections will also have caused him considerable discomfort and irritation for a minimum of three to four weeks but likely much longer.
“Samson was then taken to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres to receive the care and veterinary treatment he needed."
SSPCA investigators were so taken aback by the shocking incident and on July 20 2021 at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Stobbs pled guilty to one charge of leaving Samson unattended and in a filthy and dangerous environment for four days.
The owner accepted that he had not made provisions for the dogs welfare and for not providing proper food and water as well as failing to seek veterinary care for the Akita.
The disgraced owner was handed a £400 fine on January 25 2022 and was also given a £20 victim surcharge. A request had been made for Stobbs to be disqualified from owning a pet in future but this was refused by the Sheriff.
The SSPCA say that they are disappointed by the outcome of the trial and say that they feel that Stobbs should have been more severely punished for his actions. They say that they hope the owner will learn from his past behaviour and take more care in the future.
Nicola added: “Despite numerous attempts to contact Stobbs to arrange an interview, we received no response nor has he contacted us to check how Samson is doing.
“Thankfully, Samson responded well to medication for his skin, eyes and ears, and he also gained weight. No special or veterinary diets were necessary to improve his body condition.
“We are disappointed that Stobbs only received a £400 fine this occasion as we do not feel this reflects the suffering caused to Samson.
“We hope he will be more conscientious in future about ensuring any animal he owns receives the appropriate care and veterinary treatment they require.
“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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