OFFENDER AVOIDS ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES DUE TO LEGAL ERROR
A man named Nigel Craig has been involved in a serious animal cruelty case that was ultimately dropped due to a legal technicality.He was accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a black Labrador in Allan Park, Falkland, Fife, by allegedly shouting aggressively at the dog before stamping on its torso with excessive force, and continuing to punch and kick as it became lifeless on the ground.
Craig was also involved in previous domestic violence incidents, having admitted to assaulting his estranged wife and being fined £150 last August.
The recent allegations claimed he caused the dog 'unnecessary suffering' in a separate incident, where he was accused of stamping on its torso with 'excessive force'.
However, the case was dismissed because the charges were incorrectly timed; the allegations actually dated back 10 years to 2003, but prosecutors mistakenly brought the case based on a 2013 date.
The case first appeared at Cupar Sheriff Court two weeks ago but was continued for prosecutors to reframe the charges.
Unfortunately, the case was ultimately treated as 'not called' when due back before a sheriff, leading to the abandonment of prosecution.
Police Scotland declined to comment, and the Crown Office stated that 'the case remains under consideration.'
