GRANT AND DAVID CAMPBELL'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN NEWMAINS REVEALED

Grant and David Campbell, residents of 74 Woodside Crescent in Newmains, Wishaw, have been convicted of severe animal cruelty charges related to the neglect and mistreatment of multiple dogs kept at their family home. The brothers' actions have drawn widespread condemnation from animal welfare authorities and the local community alike.

Grant Campbell, who is known to have styled himself as a 'rat-catcher,' pleaded guilty to seven separate charges of causing unnecessary suffering to six dogs under his care. The charges stemmed from his failure to provide adequate veterinary treatment for various injuries and health conditions, including a notably broken leg. His brother, David Campbell, admitted to a single charge of neglect, which involved failing to maintain a suitable environment for two of the dogs, resulting in their suffering and injury. Both brothers shared their residence with their mother, Mary, in the Woodside Crescent property in Newmains.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) inspector, Dawn Murrie, detailed the extensive concerns raised during multiple inspections starting from March 2021. She explained that the SPCA had several interactions with the Campbell brothers regarding the deplorable conditions in which the dogs were kept, as well as issues related to illegal trapping devices found in the Newmains area. Despite providing advice and issuing an animal welfare notice, the brothers failed to improve the conditions.

On October 19, 2021, the SPCA received another complaint about the state of the property. Upon inspection, the conditions were found to be appalling. The investigators reported a strong foul odor upon entry, with pathways leading into the garden and the dog kennels strewn with faeces, hazards, and rubbish. The kennels were in a shocking state, filled with urine and faeces, and lacked appropriate, dry bedding for the dogs. One kennel was so overwhelmed with waste that the flooring was completely obscured, leading inspectors to initially believe it was merely a dumping site for feces. However, further examination revealed two large adult deerhound-type dogs lying inside.

The inspectors immediately removed the animals for veterinary assessment. One of the deerhounds, Lass, was found to have pressure sores and a fractured leg, injuries estimated to have been present for three to four weeks. The untreated fracture was so severe that Lass required amputation of her leg. Another deerhound, Boy, was found to be missing a leg and suffering from a displaced toe, conditions that would have caused him significant pain and additional stress. Other dogs, including Gibbs, a pug, was suffering from a severe bacterial skin infection, while Pinky, another pug, had an infected and swollen toe. Tara, a Staffordshire bull terrier, and Buffy, a lurcher, were diagnosed with arthritis, a condition that causes intense pain if left untreated. All the dogs exhibited varying degrees of dental disease.

The court acknowledged the severity of the neglect and the suffering inflicted upon these animals. As a result, both brothers received bans on keeping animals. Grant Campbell was sentenced to a two-year supervision order and a six-month restriction of liberty order, along with an indefinite ban on owning any animals. David Campbell was given a community payback order of 300 hours to be completed over three years and was disqualified from keeping any animals for five years, with the ban set to expire in July 2028.

The case highlights the importance of animal welfare enforcement and the ongoing efforts of authorities to protect vulnerable animals from cruelty and neglect in communities like Newmains.