MIKEY HARRIS FROM KELTY SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY IN SQUALID LENY PLACE

Mikey Harris, born on November 6, 1992, and residing on North Drum Street in Kelty, faced serious criminal charges after authorities uncovered the appalling conditions in which he kept a Staffordshire bull terrier named Milo. The investigation revealed that Harris had left Milo in a cage surrounded by filth and neglect, leading to a court hearing where the severity of the cruelty was laid bare.

According to court reports, the dog was found in a state of extreme emaciation, with its bones clearly visible through its skin. The sheriff described the scene as “disgraceful,” emphasizing the level of neglect that had taken place. The dog was confined in a cage that was not only dirty but also filled with household waste, faeces, urine, broken household items, including a shattered mirror, and paraphernalia associated with controlled substances. Such conditions posed a serious risk to the animal’s health and well-being.

Harris admitted that on April 11, 2016, at Leny Place in Dunfermline, as well as at his residence on North Drum Street in Kelty, he failed to meet the basic needs of Milo. Specifically, he neglected to provide the dog with adequate food and water, and he did not ensure proper care or treatment for the animal’s coat. The neglect extended to the environment, which was described as squalid and hazardous.

Further complicating the case was the fact that Harris had entrusted Milo to a friend, Sean Wilkie, who was also facing separate charges related to dog cruelty. Wilkie’s residence was also found to be in a similarly deplorable state, with the dog kept in conditions that matched the neglect seen at Harris’s property. Wilkie’s involvement was noted as part of the broader pattern of animal cruelty linked to Harris.

The police were called to the premises on Leny Place in connection with another matter, and during their entry, they forcibly removed a door panel to gain access. Upon entering, officers observed Milo and another dog fleeing from the scene. A police sergeant, in a statement to the court, described the scene as “without doubt one of the worst premises he’d seen in almost 20 years,” citing the overpowering stench and the presence of flies due to the unsanitary conditions. The officers recaptured the dogs and placed them in the living room, which was cluttered with black bags filled with discarded food and drink containers that appeared to have been there for months.

The SSPCA was called to assess the animals’ condition. An inspector noted that the dogs, previously in good health, had deteriorated significantly, with Milo being severely malnourished. The inspector described the dog’s condition as “disgraceful,” with bones protruding through the skin. When the dogs were released from their cages for inspection, they immediately scavenged through the trash bags, desperately searching for food. The inspector confirmed that the environment was hazardous and that the animals had suffered greatly due to neglect.

During police interviews, Harris admitted that the dog’s condition was “poor” and claimed that the low food levels were due to his cutting back on the dog’s food, stating, “I cut the food and it was too low. It wasn’t fair to the dog.” When questioned about the filthy and hazardous conditions of the house, Harris attempted to blame the police for causing the mess during their entry, a claim dismissed by the sheriff as “absolutely ridiculous.”

Harris’s legal representative, Martin McGuire, acknowledged that his client had since surrendered Milo to the SSPCA and recognized his failings in caring for the dog. McGuire emphasized that Harris’s long-time friend, Sean Wilkie, was responsible for the day-to-day care of Milo at the time, and that Harris had allowed this arrangement to happen. The court was also informed that Wilkie’s own dog was kept in similarly deplorable conditions.

Sheriff Craig McSherry condemned the conditions, stating, “To suggest that the filthy state of this property was down to the police is absolutely ridiculous. These were appalling conditions and the state of emaciation of the dog is disgraceful.”

As a result of his actions, Mikey Harris was sentenced to five months in jail. Additionally, he was banned from owning or keeping any animals for a period of five years, a ban that expired in December 2021. The case drew widespread condemnation, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and the need for strict enforcement against neglect and cruelty in Kelty and surrounding areas.