Farmer John Ferguson jailed for neglecting over 350 animals in Alyth

A landowner named John Ferguson has been found guilty of neglecting his animals on his farm in Alyth. Following a tip-off, SSPCA inspectors discovered the remains of over 350 animals, including sheep and cows, left to rot and starve at Welton of Creuchies farm. The remains included skeletal carcasses of 340 sheep and 14 cows, with many animals in extremely poor condition, some left with a dead calf still protruding from a cow. Ferguson admitted to charges related to the unnecessary suffering of animals, having failed to provide proper care from October 2011 to February 2012, including neglecting to remove carcasses, provide adequate nutrition, shelter, and monitor their health. The court sentenced Ferguson to 300 hours of unpaid work and a lifetime ban on keeping animals. Sheriff Lindsay Foulis stated that Ferguson's guilty plea meant he faced a maximum of two months in prison but chose to impose the unpaid work and ban instead.