HELEN BURT FROM KIRKCALDY SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY IN DUNFERMLINE
Helen Burt, born on April 1, 1992, previously residing on Elder Place, Rosyth, and currently living on Cairns Street East, Kirkcaldy KY1, was convicted in 2020 for keeping three Staffordshire bull terriers in deplorable conditions.Burt, who is from Rosyth near Dunfermline, Fife, received a five-year ban on keeping animals.
Burt allowed her dogs—Codi, Mali, and Shakira—to live in a filthy environment filled with their own excrement.
She failed to take them outside for toileting, instead leaving them confined to a space that was unclean and hazardous.
At Dunfermline Sheriff Court, she pleaded guilty to a charge under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, related to neglect between January 11 and 25, 2018.
The charge highlighted that her treatment likely caused the dogs psychological suffering and posed risks of injury and disease.
The dogs were found surrounded by urine, faeces, household debris such as open tin cans, and broken furniture.
Burt did not provide sufficient water or ventilation, kept the animals in an un hygienic environment, and prevented them from exhibiting normal behaviors.
Additionally, she neglected to take them outside for toileting.
Scottish SPCA inspector Sarah Gregory described the conditions, stating, “The living environment for these animals was cramped and filthy.
The entire property was uninhabitable and appeared to be used as a kennel rather than a home.
The smell was an overwhelming stench of ammonia, dirt, and faeces that made your eyes water.
Faeces were trodden into the floor with fresh matter on top.
There was litter and broken furniture throughout the property.” The female dogs, Shakira and Mali, were discovered in a cage in the living room with no bedding or resting area.
Despite the poor environment, all three dogs appeared to be in good body condition, although they faced high risks of disease due to contamination.
Inspector Gregory highlighted, “Not allowing the dogs adequate opportunities to toilet outside meant they could suffer stress and mental anguish from urinating in the same space where they ate and slept.” She also noted that Burt did not sign the dogs over into care, resulting in the Scottish SPCA caring for them for nearly two years at a cost of almost £30,000.
This delay prevented rehoming and prolonged their suffering.
Welcoming the case outcome, she added, “It was clear that Burt was unable to provide these animals with even the most basic of care.” Burt was sentenced to a community payback order with supervision and was required to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within six months.
She is also subject to a five-year ban on keeping dogs, which expires in January 2025.
