KEITH ROSS FROM MOTHERWELL SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE AND REPREHENSIBLE CRIMES

Keith Ross, a resident of Highfield Crescent in Motherwell, has been at the center of a disturbing case involving severe animal neglect and abuse. The incident came to light after authorities uncovered a collection of reptiles and other animals kept in deplorable conditions within his modest one-bedroom flat. Ross, born around 1990, had maintained these animals for over six years, during which they suffered immensely due to his neglect and irresponsible care.

Ross was not only an animal owner but also operated a business called ‘Keith’s Reptile Parties,’ where he charged approximately £80 per hour to entertain children at various events. During these parties, he brought along some of his reptiles, including various lizards and snakes, to showcase to young audiences. His collection extended beyond reptiles, as he also kept turtles, a polecat, and a hawk within the confines of his flat, raising serious concerns about the welfare and safety of both the animals and the environment.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) responded swiftly to reports of animal suffering at Ross’s residence. A spokesperson from the organization described the situation as unprecedented, stating, “Ross had a collection of reptiles in his home unlike anything we have seen before. The animals seized from Ross during the searches presented significant difficulty.” The spokesperson further explained that the animals were kept in conditions that were not only inadequate but also disastrous for their health and well-being. Many of the animals were found to be suffering unnecessarily, with some on the brink of starvation. One particularly distressing case involved a lizard that had to be euthanized after it ingested its own substrate—cage litter—due to extreme hunger and neglect.

During the investigation, welfare officers recovered a variety of neglected snakes, including a boomslang tree snake, a boa constrictor, a python, and a Californian kingsnake. Several of these snakes were found crammed into small, restrictive plastic containers, with untreated injuries and signs of malnutrition. The conditions in which they were kept were clearly inadequate, and their injuries had gone untreated for some time. In addition to the snakes, Ross kept a range of other exotic creatures, including a deathstalker scorpion, two white-lipped vipers, a saw-scaled viper, a Western diamondback rattlesnake, a puff adder, a king cobra, and two black-necked spitting cobras.

The severity of the case was reflected in Ross’s sentencing. He was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison for animal cruelty. Furthermore, he was banned from keeping any animals for a period of ten years, a ban that will remain in effect until June 2027. The case highlighted the shocking extent of neglect and the dangerous conditions in which these animals were kept, prompting widespread condemnation from animal welfare advocates and the local community.

In a separate and more disturbing development, Ross’s criminal record was further marred when he was sentenced in October 2018 to three years in prison after being found in possession of over 1,600 indecent images of minors. He also admitted to possessing 3,029 images depicting extreme pornography involving both humans and animals. Ross had pleaded guilty to these charges in May 2018 but failed to appear for sentencing the following month. It was later discovered that he had fled to Ireland, complicating efforts to bring him to justice. His criminal activities in this regard have added a further layer of seriousness to his case, drawing significant media attention and public outrage.