STARVED DOG HAD TO BE PUT DOWN
A GOUROCK man who cruelly starved his cousin’s dog has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.John Ptolomey, 33, failed to feed the Bull Mastiff and the animal lost a THIRD of its bodyweight as a result.
He was supposed to be looking after the pet for his relative, but it suffered so badly that vets decided to put it down.
Shockd animal welfare officers discovered the dog in the faeces-covered back garden of Ptolomey’s Murray Place home.
It had no proper shelter and was unable to walk properly due to a brain illness.
At Greenock Sheriff Court, Ptolomey admitted failing to provide adequate nutrition to the dog and was fined £225.
He will not be able to own an animal until 2023.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Jennifer Connolly recalled the moment she and a colleague discovered the starving pet, called Mac, in January this year.
She said: “When we entered the back garden we found Mac standing in front of us but clearly unsteady on his feet and only able to take a few steps before having to sit down.
His ribs and pelvis were sticking out and he weighed only 28.5kg, nowhere near the 40kg a dog of his type and size should be.
The garden was littered with faeces and the only shelter available to the dog was an open shed which was filled with objects and provided little comfort or warmth.
Under veterinary examination Mac was also found to be suffering from a neurological disorder which was causing him several problems, including difficulty with co-ordination and balance.
Although he gained weight rapidly during the six days he spent in our care on a normal diet, it was clear that Mac’s underlying problems were severely affecting his quality of life and the only option available to the vet was to end his suffering.
Ptolomey claimed Mac was owned by his cousin and he’d been left to care for him for the past three months prior to our investigation.
“This was no excuse for allowing Mac to get into such a terrible state.
This was a very sad outcome for the dog but we are pleased Ptolomey has received a 10-year ban on keeping animals, as we believe this is a fitting punishment for this offence.”
