Heartless Livingston pet owner banned for neglect of his sick dog

A heartless dog owner who failed to take his sick pet to the vet for medical treatment has been banned from keeping animals for a year.

Poor pooch: Tara suffered massive hair loss

Shocking pictures released by the Scottish SPCA revealed that cruel Lawrence Hughes’ dog Tara sufering hair loss and a skin rash.

The images were shown to a sheriff who ruled that Hughes, 64,was unfit to look after any animals.

Hughes, of Eliburn South, Livingston, pled guilty in March to neglecting his Tara, and Sheriff Martin Edington ordered him to give his pet cat to someone who could give it proper care and attendion.

Tara needed urgent skin care

He also admitted causing a disturbance at his home on October 25 when Scottish SPCA inspector Jennifer Surgeon tried to check on Tara’s health following a tip-off.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard that for nearly a month Hughes failed to consult a vet to have Tara’s poor body conditions diagnosed and treated.

The dog was found to be suffering from a range of serious health problems including hair loss, a painful skin condition, ear difficulties and dental disease.

Sheriff Edington imposed a six month community payback order keeping Hughes under the supervision of social workers, banned from keeping any pet for a year and made an order depriving him of ownership of Tara.

Following the case, Ms Surgeon said: “We received a report from a member of the public who had seen Tara and was concerned about her appearance.

“As soon as we saw Tara it was clearly evident that she had a severe problem with her skin.

“She was constantly scratching at herself and gnawing at her paws and legs. She had severe hair loss from her rib cage down to her tail, affecting her under carriage and all four legs. Her skin was hot and clammy to touch, felt thickened and was covered in scabs. What hair there was on her body was very thin and the skin in these areas was also in poor condition.”

She added: “We’re glad that Hughes has been given this ban and hope he seriously reconsiders his ability to care for any animal in future.

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