JOHN HAXTON FROM DYSART EDINBURGH SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ANIMAL ABUSE ON ROXY

In June 2022, a tragic case of animal cruelty came to light involving John Haxton, a 29-year-old man originally from Murrayburn Green in Edinburgh, who was responsible for the severe abuse of his Staffordshire bull terrier, Roxy. The horrifying details of her injuries and the subsequent legal actions taken against Haxton highlight the seriousness of animal cruelty cases in Scotland.

Haxton’s case first drew attention in 2018 when the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) received reports from concerned members of the public. Witnesses claimed to have seen Haxton either kicking or abusing Roxy in public spaces or hearing disturbing noises from inside his home that suggested he was inflicting harm on her. Despite these reports, initial investigations by the charity did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegations, and Haxton was issued warnings rather than facing charges.

However, the situation escalated in 2020 when multiple witnesses observed Haxton violently beating Roxy in a public area. Two members of the public intervened, managing to take Roxy away from Haxton’s grasp. The dog was found to be in a dire state: bleeding from her eye, with cuts across her body, and her neck swollen to an alarming degree. She was visibly distressed, and distressingly, she was urinating blood, indicating severe trauma and pain.

Following this intervention, the Scottish SPCA responded swiftly. Inspector Fiona Thorburn met the members of the public at the veterinary clinic where Roxy had been taken for emergency treatment. The veterinarian’s examination revealed multiple injuries consistent with recent trauma, including signs of central blindness. The vet concluded that Roxy’s vision was unlikely to be restored due to the extent of her injuries.

Roxy was kept under hospital care for 24 hours before being transferred into the Scottish SPCA’s custody. Further examinations uncovered additional health issues, including arthritis and a serious hip injury. The combination of her recent injuries, blindness, and ongoing pain led to the heartbreaking decision to euthanize her on welfare grounds, as her suffering was deemed unbearable.

Post-mortem examinations provided further insight into the extent of her injuries. It was confirmed that Roxy had been bleeding from her eyes for at least two days, a sign of ongoing trauma. Her retinas were found to be detached at least three days before her death, supporting the evidence that she had been subjected to repeated beatings. The veterinarian concluded that her injuries, inflicted by blunt force trauma to her face, head, and abdomen, had caused her immense physical and mental suffering. Roxy was left terrified and anxious around humans, a tragic consequence of her abuse.

Additional injuries included a dislocated hip, which had been inflicted earlier in 2020. Although surgery was scheduled to repair the injury, it was never carried out. The case underscores the brutal treatment Roxy endured, culminating in her tragic death, and highlights the importance of animal welfare laws in Scotland.

In light of these events, John Haxton was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. He was subsequently sentenced to a community payback order of 300 hours and received a five-year ban on owning or keeping any animals. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his actions and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of animal cruelty in Edinburgh and beyond.