ALLAN GILLIES OF FRASERBURGH SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOGS IN SCALLOWAY PARK

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Allan Gillies, a resident of Fraserburgh, has been found guilty of subjecting two dogs to severe and unnecessary suffering. Gillies, born on October 7, 1981, and residing at Scalloway Park in Fraserburgh with the postal code AB43 9FB, was previously convicted of similar offenses in 2017. His latest conviction involves a brutal campaign of abuse directed at a French bulldog named Reg and a Rottweiler/Staffy cross called Rex, both of whom endured acts of extreme cruelty that inflicted significant fear, pain, and mental anguish.

According to court reports, Gillies was caught on CCTV footage abusing these animals on February 21, 2022. The footage was reviewed by an SSPCA inspector, and it revealed a series of violent and aggressive acts committed by Gillies. Fiscal depute Jane Spark detailed the incidents to the court, describing how Gillies approached Reg, the French bulldog, while shouting at him. He was seen grabbing the dog by its lead in a manner deemed unacceptable and then swinging the small dog forcefully through the air, causing it to collide with the exterior wall of the flat. Witnesses noted that Gillies appeared extremely angry during this episode, and in a further act of violence, he was observed picking up a table leg from a coffee table in his garden and throwing it at the dog, striking it on the back.

In a separate incident captured on the same CCTV footage, Gillies was seen screaming at Rex, the Rottweiler/Staffy cross. He grabbed Rex by the face, lifting him off the ground by his ears, an act that caused the dog significant distress. After dropping Rex, Gillies picked up a piece of rubber and struck the dog with it. He then dragged Rex along the ground and back into his flat, demonstrating a pattern of aggressive and abusive behavior towards the animals in his care.

Gillies pleaded guilty to two charges of causing animals unnecessary suffering. During sentencing, Sheriff William Summers condemned his actions, stating, “You took part in acts of wanton cruelty towards these animals who were in your care. It is clear you accept no responsibility for your actions and it is clear that you have learned nothing from that. Given the degree of cruelty, the fact that it involved two animals, and your previous conviction, I have no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.”

Upon hearing the sentence, Gillies expressed surprise, exclaiming, “I didn’t think I’d get sent to jail for this!” He was sentenced to six months in prison, with a deprivation order issued for Rex and Reg, and a ten-year ban on owning dogs.

This case echoes Gillies’ earlier conviction in 2017, which involved the abuse of a Rottweiler named Hunter and a crossbreed called Copper. In that case, Gillies admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Copper by grabbing him by the collar and restricting his breathing, as well as throwing and kicking him. He also confessed to using harsh training methods on Hunter, including kicking the dog in the genitals if he ran away. The court deferred sentencing in that case until November 10, 2017, pending further information from the Scottish SPCA regarding whether Gillies should be allowed to keep Hunter. The final outcome of that case remains unknown.