Fraserburgh man banned from owning dogs after failing to 'provide basic care'

A Fraserburgh man, who pleaded guilty to serious animal welfare offences involving three Labradors, has been banned from owning dogs for five years.

Phoenix, Bella and Vadar were initially found underweight and scavenging for food in a dirty home environment owned by Andrew Whyte.

When the Scottish SPCA inspectors returned, all three dogs were found confined together in a tiny cage in a cluttered garage, with no food, water, or bedding.

The cage was soiled with faeces and urine.

Whyte admitted that he failed to provide basic care including adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary treatment.

He was sentenced to a five-year disqualification from dog ownership and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service within nine months.

A Scottish SPCA inspector reported: “Following a complaint, we attended Mr Whyte’s property and found three underweight Labradors – Phoenix, Bella, and Vadar – scavenging for food in an unclean environment. Despite initial support, their condition deteriorated. On a later visit, we found the dogs crammed into a small, filthy cage in a cluttered garage with no bedding, food, or water.

“Whyte would not engage with us at that later visit. There was no excuse for the dogs suffering as our assistance was available.

“Veterinary assessments confirmed all three were severely emaciated and had suffered unnecessarily over a prolonged period due to neglect. This case is a stark reminder that failing to meet even the most basic needs of an animal causes real suffering – and will not be tolerated.”