MICHELLE SMITH OF ABERCHIRDER SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL NEGLECT IN HUNTLY

Michelle Smith, born around 1982 and residing in Wester Culvie, Aberchirder, Huntly AB54 7RB, was convicted in 2019 of severe animal neglect for failing to provide proper care to multiple animals. Evidence showed that Smith had not fed some of her animals for up to six weeks, despite appearing well-nourished herself. The case involved a total of 63 animals, including 19 dogs, 21 cats, as well as ducks and chickens.

Smith faced charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to five counts, which included failure to give veterinary attention, depriving animals of necessary needs like food and water, keeping them in unsuitable conditions, and causing them unnecessary suffering through neglect.

Commenting on the case, senior Scottish SPCA inspector Alison Simpson recounted, “After receiving a call to our animal helpline about welfare concerns, I arrived and was met by three dogs. I noticed a residential caravan, which was not used as a home but had cats kept in pens at the rear.”

She continued, “Opposite the house, I saw a rabbit hutch from which kittens could be heard. When I asked Smith if I could look inside, the two-storey hutch reeked of faeces and urine. Inside, I found eight tiny kittens, about four or five weeks old, all extremely thin, dirty, and wet. Three of the kittens were already dead and appeared emaciated.”

Smith’s animals were kept in atrocious conditions, Simpson observed. “After removing the kittens from the hutch, we entered the caravan, which was overwhelmed by the stench of cat urine and faeces. Inside, there was one kitten running loose and two mesh-enclosed pens, with one containing a dead kitten. Outside, I saw four runs housing seven ducks and eight hens, with two dead ducks. Smith stated that a dog had entered one of the runs that morning, which she suggested might explain the deaths. The deceased ducks were very thin.”

Veterinary examination revealed serious issues: “The caravan’s interior had a significant build-up of faeces over at least three weeks, with poor ventilation,” Simpson said. “There was no food or water available inside for the cats. The seven cats inside the caravan were all underweight, some severely, with signs of chronic eye problems, gingivitis, ear mites, and matted fur. The dead kitten was extremely emaciated. Similar conditions were found in the second caravan room, with another dead kitten, and all remaining kittens were underweight.”

The poultry examined were also in poor health. “All birds were significantly underweight; two hens and two ducks were deceased,” Simpson explained. “Two hens appeared ill, hunched over, with no proper nutritional intake for at least seven days. When food was provided, the birds were ravenous.”

Following veterinary assessment, all animals were taken to rehoming centres once they recovered. Simpson noted, “Smith fully cooperated by signing over the animals, allowing us to rehome them sooner. This prohibited her from keeping any animals pending sentencing.”

At sentencing, Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill imposed a ten-year ban on Smith owning or keeping any animals except her eight dogs. She was also prohibited from keeping any other pets for ten years. The judge rejected the Crown’s request to prevent her from keeping all animals but allowed her to retain her dogs.

The court resulted in a six-month deferred sentence for further restrictions. The Scottish SPCA played a key role in the investigation, highlighting the importance of animal welfare enforcement in Aberchirder and Huntly.