AGNES MCPHEE FROM BUCKSBURN ABERDEEN FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES OVER DOG ABUSE AT WEST TULLOS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bucksburn and the wider Aberdeen area, Agnes McPhee, born around 1967 and residing at Brimmondside in Bucksburn, has been convicted of animal cruelty related to the severe neglect of her two dogs. The incident, which took place between January 4 and May 4, 2016, at the West Tullos Industrial Estate, involved the suffering and eventual euthanasia of her pets, a Staffordshire bull terrier named Kai and a Rottweiler named Bruno.

McPhee admitted in court to causing unnecessary suffering to her animals by neglecting their basic needs, particularly their nutritional requirements. The court heard that both dogs had been starved to the point of emaciation, with Kai, in particular, being so hungry that he was seen scavenging for food. Witnesses and veterinary reports described Kai as being in a dire state, with a weight approximately 5 kilograms below the healthy range. The dog had been ravenously eating anything offered to him by the veterinarian, indicating a prolonged period of underfeeding that could have lasted up to six weeks.

Furthermore, McPhee failed to seek medical treatment for her dogs’ health issues, which included skin conditions and pressure sores. The neglect extended beyond nutrition; Bruno, the Rottweiler, was confined to a vehicle, exposed to urine and excrement, and deprived of a proper resting area. The neglect was so severe that Bruno was ultimately euthanized due to a liver condition that was deemed unrelated to his living conditions, but the decision was made because it was considered inhumane to subject him to further treatment.

When the authorities discovered the situation, Kai was found in a poor condition, with veterinary assessments revealing he was approximately 10 kilograms underweight. The dog also suffered from various skin lesions, which were treated with antibiotics. The dogs were taken to an SSPCA rehoming centre, where the decision was made to put Bruno to sleep, as his health issues and the extent of neglect made recovery unlikely.

In sentencing, Agnes McPhee was ordered to pay a total fine of £500 and received a 10-year disqualification order from owning or caring for animals. The case has drawn significant attention to the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect in the Aberdeen community, highlighting the need for vigilance and responsibility among pet owners.