FIONA CUTHILL FROM BRIDGE OF ALLAN SENTENCED FOR STARVING DOG SNOOP IN STIRLING

Fiona Cuthill, born around 1985 and formerly residing in Plean, Stirling, and later at Cawder Road in Bridge of Allan, FK9 4JJ, was found guilty of neglecting her pet dog, Snoop, leading to severe starvation and dehydration. The incident drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities and the local community, highlighting the neglect that can occur even in seemingly caring households.

In November 2015, animal welfare officers from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) responded to a distress call regarding a dog at Cuthill’s residence. Upon arrival at her address on Kirkbride Terrace in Plean, officers discovered Snoop in a dire state. The dog was extremely emaciated, weighing less than 6 kilograms, with all his ribs and pelvic bones prominently visible. Snoop was visibly shaking, weak, and in a semi-collapsed condition, struggling to stand even with assistance. The officers immediately recognized that Snoop was in urgent need of veterinary care.

Inspector Louise Seddon, the first officer to attend the scene, recounted the harrowing scene: “When I arrived I found Snoop in extremely thin condition and all his bones, especially his ribs and pelvic bones, were very prominent. He was in a semi-collapsed state and was only able to stand with difficulty when lifted. It was clear Snoop needed immediate veterinary attention and as he was barely able to walk I had to carry him to my van.”

The veterinary examination confirmed the severity of Snoop’s condition. The vet diagnosed him as severely emaciated and seriously dehydrated. Immediate treatment involved intravenous fluids, but the prognosis was uncertain. The vet expressed concern that without water, Snoop could have died within a few days, and even with hydration, death from starvation could have occurred within two weeks. Despite the prolonged suffering, Snoop was given a chance at recovery through round-the-clock care, and he eventually made a full recovery. After his ordeal, Snoop was rehomed to a caring family, symbolizing hope and resilience amid neglect.

During the court proceedings, Cuthill admitted to failing to provide adequate nutrition for Snoop, citing financial constraints as a mitigating factor. However, Inspector Seddon emphasized that it was inconceivable she did not realize Snoop was in trouble and simply needed feeding, not expensive veterinary intervention. The court sentenced Cuthill to pay a fine of £500 to the Scottish SPCA and imposed a ban on her from owning animals for ten years, a restriction that will expire in June 2026.

In an update from July 2017, it was reported by The Sun that Fiona Cuthill, who was working as a care assistant at the time, was struck off the social care register, reflecting the serious consequences of her neglectful actions and the breach of trust involved in her professional and personal conduct.