WINCHBURGH MOTHER AND SON KEEP KITTENS IN HORRIBLE CONDITIONS, SENTENCED TO FINE AND BAN
Clayton Hopwood, former owner/operator of Glendevon Poultry, and his mother, a co-director of Edinburgh firm Avante Media Ltd, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the 12 cats.Clayton Hopwood also admitted breeding kittens without the required licence.
Much to the disappointment of the Scottish SPCA, who investigated the case, Clayton Hopwood received a paltry fine and an eight-month ban on dealing in animals while his mother was merely admonished.
On October 18, 2024, the Scottish SPCA visited their address—a substantial rural property, which has since been sold for around £700,000—after a concerned member of the public purchased a kitten from Clayton Hopwood.
It was found that the kittens appeared malnourished, dehydrated, and had a body condition score of 1/5, indicating severe lack of food or underlying disease.
The health of a tiny kitten deteriorated rapidly, leading to her being put to sleep.
The SPCA inspector found multiple animals kept in dark, unventilated sheds, some with ear mite infestations and ammonia fumes.
A Scottish SPCA Inspector expressed disappointment at the light sentence, stating the animals could have been kept in better conditions.
The case involved breeding kittens in unhygienic environments, with little regard for animal welfare.
In May 2025, concerns were raised again; Scottish SPCA attended and found cats and kittens living in cramped, dirty enclosures with no natural light, suffering from mite infestations.
All 12 cats were rehomed after recovery.
The article highlights persistent neglect and improper breeding by Clayton Hopwood and his mother, with insufficient penalties and a failure to prevent ongoing animal suffering.
