PAUL KERR ABERDEEN SERIAL ANIMAL ABUSER SENTENCED AND BANNED FROM KEEPING DOGS

Paul Kerr, born on December 25, 1977, of Clifton Road, Aberdeen AB24 4EL, has been convicted in 2022 of severe animal cruelty, specifically for starving his dog to the point of emaciation.

Kerr was previously known to the Scottish SPCA after reports of neglect involving the same dog, Molly. Despite an earlier intervention, Kerr failed to provide proper care, leading to her deterioration.

Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona McKenzie recounted that on September 17, 2019, authorities received a tip from a concerned member of the public about a dog on Clifton Road not being fed properly. Kerr was already familiar to the SPCA, as they had attended his property in January 2017 following a similar complaint. During that visit, Molly was found underweight, with ribs and spine visibly protruding.

An animal welfare notice was issued at that time, advising Kerr to take Molly to his local PDSA veterinary practice for regular weight checks and dietary advice. Kerr followed these instructions, and by July 2017, Molly appeared in good condition.

However, after several unsuccessful attempts to contact Kerr, authorities gained entry to his home on September 20, 2019. Upon seeing Molly, inspectors immediately recognized her emaciated state; her bones were easily felt through her skin. Despite her poor condition, Molly appeared bright and alert.

Kerr was asked if he had recently taken Molly to a veterinarian, but he admitted his PDSA registration was out of date and needed renewal. He claimed Molly was fed three to four times daily with wet and dry food but suffered from frequent diarrhoea.

Due to welfare concerns, Molly was immediately taken to a veterinary practice for examination. Blood tests showed no medical cause for her weight loss. She was then transferred to an animal rescue and rehoming center, where within six days, she had gained 1.3kg and had a glossy coat, with no signs of vomiting or diarrhoea.

Molly’s weight continued to improve with proper diet and care. It was particularly distressing for inspectors to find her in such a poor state again, especially after Kerr had been previously advised on her condition. Fiona McKenzie expressed disappointment that Kerr had not learned from earlier, allowing Molly's health to decline further.

Kerr was subsequently banned from keeping dogs for three years. Inspector McKenzie remarked, “It’s incredibly concerning that Kerr had not learned from the first investigation in 2017 and that Molly’s condition worsened.”

In her statement, McKenzie highlighted that Molly’s weight had been 15.85kg after the first intervention, and Kerr’s failure to notice or respond to her decline—amounting to a loss of approximately 5kg—was deeply worrying. “We would have liked him to have received a longer ban,” she added.

Kerr was fined £135 in addition to the three-year ban. Reports from STV News and Aberdeen Live covered the case.

Additional information notes that Kerr's wife, Leanne Kerr, faced similar charges; however, it appears the case against her did not proceed.