WOMAN STARVED DOG TO DEATH
From 2015.Samantha Little, aged 22, was found to have kept her dog in such neglectful conditions that the animal’s body was recovered among piles of faeces after it had ingested poisonous painkillers.
During the hearing at Elgin Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Little made two calls to her support worker on the day Hamish, an adult male lurcher-collie cross, was discovered deceased.
Prosecutor Kevin Corrins stated that the first call was a request for her support worker to come to her residence with some dog food, while the second call, made at 6 pm, was to inform her support worker that the dog had died and she was unsure of what to do with the remains.
A Scottish SPCA officer visited Little’s home at 20 Forbes Court, Elgin, and observed Hamish’s body in a severely emaciated state, surrounded by feces, according to his testimony.
The officer noted that there was no food or water available for the dog; dry bowls were seen in the kitchen area.
Additionally, empty and chewed ibuprofen packets were discovered in the kitchen.
Post-mortem examinations revealed that the dog was exhibiting early decomposition signs, with rigor mortis gone, indicating death had occurred some time earlier.
The vet confirmed the cause of death as a combination of starvation and ibuprofen poisoning.
Analysis showed severe muscle loss in Hamish’s limbs and trunk, with his eyes appearing milky and sunken.
The vet found no dental issues that would have prevented the dog from eating and identified stomach ulcerations consistent with ibuprofen ingestion.
The prosecutor emphasised that these physical changes would have been obvious to any owner.
Hamish is believed to have died from starvation between March 1 and April 4 of the previous year.
Little admitted to the charges during her police questioning in April.
Her solicitor, Stephen Carty, explained that she and her former partner had jointly cared for the dog until their split.
Carty added that Little’s family circumstances at the time were very challenging, but she acknowledged neglecting the animal and admitted calling her support worker only after the situation had become critical.
Currently residing at 18b Covesga Road in Elgin, Little was banned from owning any animals for ten years and was given a 100-hour community service order.
Sheriff Susan Raeburn ordered her to complete these hours within three months.
