SCOTTISH WOMAN FINED AFTER HER DOG WAS LEFT DISFIGURED AND NEGLECTED
A woman named Anne Nelson, aged 69, was prosecuted for neglecting her dog, Sara, a Shih Tzu.The neglect led to the dog being unable to see or walk properly and being left disfigured with severely matted fur covering her eyes and face, making her look like she was wearing a mask.
The condition of the dog was so poor that she had to be given general anesthesia to shave off the matted fur, which was painful and pulling on her skin.
Nelson admitted to failing to care for the animal properly at her home in Ayrshire in July 2020.
Justice heard that Nelson had previously pleaded guilty to animal neglect charges and returned to Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.
Court proceedings revealed that Nelson's face was completely matted, and her nails were so long that she had to walk differently, damaging tendons in her feet.
She explained that she had been less mindful of the dog due to caring for her husband, who had suffered a stroke and become housebound, and her own health issues.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals attended after a complaint about the neglect and confirmed she was the owner.
An examination of the dog led to efforts to groom her, which involved anesthesia due to the severity of the matting.
The dog has since been rehomed.
Prosecutor Kiera Greer stated that the investigators found the dog in a shocking condition, and Nelson's face was described as if she was wearing a mask.
The sheriff fined Nelson £600, reduced from £800 after she admitted guilt.
Nelson responded to the fine by questioning why she was being fined for not getting her dog a haircut.
