JOHN AND CYNTHIA STEWART FROM BRECHIN SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO PETS NEAR EDZELL

John Stewart, born around 1960, and his wife Cynthia Stewart, born approximately in 1961, residents of Chapelton of Menmuir near Edzell in Brechin, faced a severe legal judgment after being found guilty of extreme animal neglect. The couple’s actions, which involved the suffering and eventual euthanasia of three beloved pets, shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike.

During their court appearance, the judge did not hold back in criticizing the Stewarts’ attitude towards their animals. It was noted that the couple showed no remorse or signs of regret for their actions, which only added to the gravity of their offense. The court sentenced them to a decade-long ban on keeping any animals, a measure aimed at preventing further cruelty. This decision came after the tragic fate of their pets, a 17-year-old border collie named Ben and two cats, Ruff and Tumble, both aged seven, who had been subjected to neglect so severe that euthanasia was deemed necessary for their relief.

The condition of the animals was heartbreaking. Ben, the border collie, was found in a state of extreme emaciation, with his skeletal frame clearly visible beneath his skin. He was infested with fleas, which caused intense itching and multiple skin lesions. The injuries and poor health indicated prolonged suffering, with the dog suffering from severe alopecia, overgrown claws curling painfully into his pads, and a deep cut on his leg exposing the bone. His overall body condition was rated at just 1 out of 5, reflecting the dire state of his health.

Similarly, Tumble, the male cat, was also in a poor condition, with a body score of 2 out of 5. He suffered from alopecia, skin excoriations, and flea infestation, with flea dirt visible throughout his coat. An ultrasound revealed a bladder issue that caused him to be pot-bellied and unable to fully empty his bladder, a condition that had likely been bothering him for at least two weeks. Tumble’s skin was also affected by fleas, leading to excessive itching and multiple lesions. The vet determined that the flea infestation should have been treated earlier and that Tumble had been suffering for at least a fortnight.

Ruff, the second cat, shared similar skin and flea problems, indicating neglect and poor care. The veterinary assessment concluded that all three animals had endured significant suffering, and it was decided that Ben and Tumble would be euthanized immediately to end their pain. Post-mortem examinations confirmed that Ben’s condition was easily recognizable, with an ulcer on his right hip caused by lying on a hard surface for an extended period. The analysis suggested that Ben had been in distress for days to weeks and had suffered from arthritis for months or even years.

Judge Krista Johnston emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “These matters are very serious and I take them very seriously. This was a prolonged, appalling, offensive, avoidable way to treat these animals, supposedly in your care. It’s inconceivable you didn’t notice. It appears to me you were cruel and neglectful. You’ve shown no remorse, no insight into the ways these animals were treated and no realisation of the pain and suffering they must have undergone.”

Following the sentencing, Scottish SPCA Inspector Karen Cooper expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. She highlighted the severity of the neglect and the importance of the ban and supervision order imposed on the Stewarts. She also revealed that Ruff, despite being in slightly better condition initially, was found to have a cancerous tumor upon further examination at a care center, leading to the difficult decision to euthanize him on veterinary advice. The court sentenced the Stewarts to 200 hours of unpaid work each, reduced from the maximum due to their guilty pleas, along with 18 months of supervision. Their decade-long ban on keeping animals aims to prevent any future cruelty and protect vulnerable animals in the Brechin area.