NATALIE PAGE FROM DUNFERLINE FACES CRIMINAL CHARGES OVER ANIMAL NEGLECT IN SQUALID CONDITIONS
Natalie Page, a resident of Pentland Terrace in Dunfermline, has been found guilty of neglecting her pets and keeping them in extremely unsanitary conditions.Born around 1973, Page was convicted in 2019 after authorities uncovered the deplorable state of her household, which included two dogs and a cat.
Her case drew significant attention from local animal welfare agencies and law enforcement.
Page was issued a ban on keeping animals for a period of 21 months, a restriction that prevented her from owning, caring for, or being in charge of any animals during that time.
This ban officially expired in 2022.
The charges against her stemmed from her failure to meet the basic needs of her pet cat, which was found living amidst filth, including faeces, household debris, and other unhygienic materials.
The situation was so severe that the animal was exposed to conditions that posed a serious health risk.
According to statements from Depute Fiscal Alistair McDermid, a Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) inspector visited Page’s residence on June 1, 2018.
During this visit, the inspector issued warnings about the living conditions and the welfare of her animals.
Despite this intervention, the situation did not improve.
In July 2018, authorities removed two dogs from her property after repeated concerns about their welfare.
A subsequent visit on July 19 confirmed the ongoing neglect, leading to the removal of the animals.
Later, on October 25, police officers responded to an unrelated matter at her home but discovered the ongoing neglect firsthand.
They entered the property after finding the front door unlocked and were met with a scene of utter disorder.
Officers described the interior as having a “thoroughly unpleasant smell,” with rubbish piled high across every room.
The conditions were deemed unfit for human habitation and posed health hazards.
Inside, they found the cat in the living room, eating mouldy food discarded on the floor—food so old that flies were emerging from it.
The floors were strewn with faeces from both cats and dogs, with some faeces believed to have been there for up to three months.
Exposed wires and crumbling walls added to the hazardous environment.
The cat was taken to a local veterinary clinic, where it was found to be in “reasonable health,” though it required urgent dental treatment.
When police cautioned and charged Page, she responded with a dismissive remark, saying, “I’ll get it sorted.” During the court proceedings, her defence solicitor, Peter Robertson, explained that Page was currently residing with her mother while her property was undergoing renovations by the local council to make it habitable again.
Despite this, Sheriff Charles MacNair emphasized the severity of the neglect, stating, “The photographs taken at the time show the deplorable state of your property.
If you want to live like that, I can’t do anything about it but animals can’t speak up for themselves and need protection.” Ultimately, Page was fined £360 and received a 21-month ban from owning or caring for animals, a restriction that was in effect until 2022.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the importance of ensuring that pets are kept in safe, clean, and healthy environments, especially in communities like Dunfermline where such neglect can have serious consequences.
