ROY PATERSON CONVICTED IN FALKIRK FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY IN ST ANDREWS

Roy Paterson, born in 1955 and residing on Greenpark Drive, Falkirk FK2 0QA, was convicted for leaving his dog locked in a car under the hot sun. The incident occurred in St Andrews on July 23, 2018, a day when temperatures reached 25°C in the Fife town.

Paterson denied the animal cruelty charge but was found guilty after a two-day trial.

Passers-by notified the police after noticing the dog confined in the back of a Volvo estate parked in Argyle Street. Officers arrived to find the dog heavily panting and visibly distressed. Believing the dog to be behaving aggressively due to the heat, police also called a veterinarian to the scene.

PC Jonathan Gordon, one of the first officers on-site about 45 minutes after the call, testified: “Members of the public were making comments about the dog – that it was shocking and it was a shame.

It was agreed to gain entry to the vehicle and we smashed the back nearside window.

The vet went in to the car to take control of the dog.

The dog’s collar had a number, and my colleague used it to contact the owner. The accused and a female companion arrived shortly after.

He was clearly upset about the entry and claimed he had done enough for the dog, stating that the windows had been cracked open and a water bowl had been left inside.

He argued that his actions were justified and insisted that the police should pay for the damage.”

The sheriff concluded that Paterson caused unnecessary suffering to the dog by leaving it exposed to extreme temperatures and convicted him of animal cruelty. He was fined £250 for his actions.