ROBERT MILNE FROM RAPLOCH STIRLING FACES CRUELTY CHARGES OVER NEGLECTED GERMAN SHEPHERD

Robert Milne, born around 1961 and residing at 23 Hazelbank Gardens in the Raploch estate of Stirling, was found guilty of neglecting an elderly German shepherd named Lucer, who was suffering from severe spinal disease. The case highlights a tragic instance of animal cruelty that unfolded over a two-month period, from January 7 to March 7, 2021, and drew attention to the responsibilities of pet owners in caring for vulnerable animals.

Milne, who chose to represent himself during the court proceedings, admitted to two charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2006. These charges stemmed from his failure to provide necessary care and treatment for Lucer, resulting in the animal enduring unnecessary suffering. The court heard that Milne attributed his neglect to his own health issues, which he claimed hindered his ability to care for the dog properly.

On the evening of March 7, 2021, concerned neighbors observed Lucer lying motionless in Milne’s front garden for several hours. Later that night, at approximately 10:30 pm, a neighbor approached the dog and noticed that Lucer was unable to move his hind legs. The animal was visibly distressed, attempting to bear weight on his front legs while whimpering in pain. The neighbor, alarmed by the dog's condition, called out to Milne from his open front door, asking if he was aware of Lucer’s plight. Milne responded dismissively, stating, “What do you expect me to do? It needs to be put down anyway. I’ll get another one from the pound.”

Concerned for the animal’s welfare, the neighbor contacted the police. When officers arrived at the scene around 11 pm, they found Lucer lying in the front garden, still in a state of distress and motionless. The dog appeared to be in significant pain, with no access to water, and was clearly suffering. Milne identified himself to the officers as the owner of the dog and confirmed that Lucer had been outside for an extended period. He provided the dog’s name and estimated his age to be between 10 and 15 years old. The officers noted that Milne showed very little concern for Lucer’s condition during their interaction.

Subsequently, the police contacted an out-of-hours veterinary service, and a veterinarian examined Lucer. The vet’s findings were distressing: the dog was unable to move, with a matted coat, faeces and urine stains on his hindquarters, inflamed ears, and a severe loss of muscle mass. The veterinarian also observed that Lucer’s bones were visible from a distance, and his weight was recorded at only 18.2 kg, significantly below the ideal weight of 30 kg for a dog of his size. The diagnosis revealed that Lucer was suffering from degenerative myelopathy, a degenerative spinal cord disease, along with periodontal disease affecting his teeth and gums. Given his condition, the decision was made to humanely euthanize Lucer to prevent further suffering.

During the court proceedings, Milne admitted to receiving Employment Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment, which he claimed were his only sources of income. Sheriff Gill described Milne’s actions as an “appalling catalogue of cruelty and neglect,” emphasizing the severity of the case. The court sentenced Milne to a community payback order requiring 100 hours of unpaid work, and he was ordered to pay fines totaling £520, payable at a rate of £40 per month. Additionally, Milne was disqualified from owning or obtaining any animals for a period of 15 years, a measure intended to prevent similar neglect in the future.