A Scots dad let his family dog suffer from a painful eye condition which eventually left the animal blind after failing to seek veterinary care.
David Watters spent £2000 on the French bulldog called Tyson and watched as its health seriously declined.
The six-year-old dog was taken into care by SSCPA inspectors and was found to be in “severe discomfort and pain” with scarred eyes and a number of teeth missing.
Tyson was put down following an attempt at surgery after it was decided to be the “most humane” option.
Watters initially visited a vet with Tyson, but claimed the birth of three children left him too skint to pay for treatment for three years.
The 34-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday and pled guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Tyson.
He admitted failing to provide adequate care and treatment, and not seeking veterinary help for the animal’s eye, ear and teeth conditions.
Fiscal Depute Ruaridh Allison said concerns over Tyson’s welfare had been raised with SSPCA inspectors.
Mr Allison said he was taken to a vert who identified a condition which caused the dog “inadequate tear production”, leading to his eyes being “dry, scarred and inflamed”.
He added: “The dog was blind as a result. The vet stated that this condition appeared to have lasted no less than four months.”
Tyson had “several” teeth missing, the court heard, and there was “scarring and narrowing of the ear canal which indicated an infection”.
SSPCA inspectors spoke with Watters, of Musselburgh, East Lothian, and it was confirmed Tyson had not been to see a vet in three years.
Mr Allison said: “Surgery was attempted but the decision was taken to euthanise the dog because of his condition. It was considered to be the most humane option.”
Watters admitted causing the unnecessary suffering to Tyson between May 14 and September 14 last year.
Defence agent Cameron Tait said his dad-of-four client bought Tyson in 2015 and took him to a vet on a number of occasions for costly treatment for skin problems.
Mr Tait said Watters and his wife had added three more children to the family by 2021 and he was the “sole breadwinner”, earning £400 a week as a landscaper and labourer”.
Under the financial circumstances, the solicitor said Tyson’s “welfare was no longer the biggest priority”.
Mr Tait said: “He was aware the dog’s sight was affected. He appears to have stuck his head in the sand. He should’ve accepted that he could no longer look after the dog and surrendered him to the SSPCA or another charity. It’s a matter of regret.”
Sheriff John Cook told Watters: “This is a sad case where a family pet became too expensive to look after.”
Sheriff Cook said Watters should’ve dealt with this “rather than causing unfortunate suffering to an animal.”
He fined Watters £360 and banned him from owning an animal for three years.
