CATHERINE STEWART – CASTLEMILK, GLASGOW

 

Glasgow woman banned from keeping animals after pets left without food or water

A Glasgow woman who left three dogs and a cat without adequate food or water while she went on holiday has been banned from keeping animals for 18 months.

Catherine Stewart, 37, left the pets at her home in Castlemilk while she travelled to Blackpool.

The animals were discovered after entry was forced to the property following concerns raised with the Scottish SPCA.

An inspector had initially attended the address after receiving a complaint but received no response.

Abandonment proceedings were started and a notice was left at the property. When the inspector returned the following day, the notice remained undisturbed.

Housing officers from Wheatley Homes subsequently tried to contact Stewart.

Prosecutor Christa Lindsay told Glasgow Sheriff Court that Stewart said she was in Blackpool and claimed her sister was looking after the animals.

However, she was unable to provide her sister’s details when asked.

Entry was eventually forced to the property, where inspectors found two border collies, named Angel and Gio, as well as a 14-year-old Pomeranian chihuahua called Tasha.

The dogs were confined to the hallway and living room.

The court heard that the property was unclean and smelled of ammonia and faeces.

There was no food available for the dogs, while the only visible source of water was in a mop bucket which one of the animals could not access.

Tasha was found with cloudy eyes and overgrown nails and was described as showing signs of several health problems.

The dog had not been registered with a veterinary practice and was found to weigh 3.9kg, compared with a previous recorded weight of 4.7kg.

A vet later identified symptoms consistent with chronic heart failure and respiratory problems. Tasha was also suffering from dental and joint pain and was provided with antibiotics and pain relief.

The court heard that the dog was likely to have been suffering from its health problems for between two and three months.

A young white kitten was also discovered in another room.

The kitten was described as crying and seeking attention. Inspectors found no food or water available for it.

Four goldfish were also found in a tank in one of the bedrooms.

A vet raised concerns about the welfare of the older dog and the kitten, who had been left without access to food or water.

The court heard that the younger animals were at risk of dehydration and low blood sugar.

Stewart was later interviewed by police and repeated her claim that her sister had been caring for the animals.

Her sister was also interviewed and denied being asked to look after the pets.

She said she had not previously cared for Stewart’s animals.

Tasha later died, with the court hearing that her condition was linked to the circumstances in which she was found.

Stewart, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty in May to three offences under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.

She returned to Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing.

Sheriff Joan Kerr placed Stewart under supervision and disqualified her from keeping animals for 18 months.

Defending, Umar Hussain said Stewart had recently taken ownership of two cats and claimed that previous complaints from a neighbour had not resulted in concerns being raised by inspectors.

However, the sheriff imposed the animal-keeping ban alongside the supervision order following the offences.