Man kept dog for fighting and neglected pet's injuries

A man who kept a dog for fighting has been banned from keeping the animals for ten years.

On Wednesday, Liam Taylor was sentenced at Banff Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to keeping a Bull Lurcher for an animal fight and failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries to the dog’s face, toe and teeth.

The 32-year-old was given a Community Payback Order requiring him to be under supervision for 12 months and to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard that Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA and officers from Police Scotland went to Taylor’s home in MacDuff, Aberdeenshire with a warrant on the morning of October 8 2019.

Two dogs were discovered within kennels to the rear garden area, with a male white and black Bull Lurcher found with head and face injuries.

There was also an injury to its front paw with the dog finding it difficult to bear weight on it.

The dog was examined by a specialist vet who said the dog had been used repeatedly for hunting, resulting in multiple serious and disfiguring injuries.

The injuries were thought to be sustained from fighting with foxes and a badger.

It was the vet’s opinion that by failing to seek veterinary treatment, Taylor had caused the dog unnecessary suffering.

A toolbox was also found in a garden shed which appeared to be a home veterinary kit, containing a staple gun and syringes covered in dried blood as well as various other medical products.

DNA analysis of the staple gun showed the dog’s blood on the stapler matched that of the Bull Lurcher.

A knife found in Taylor’s jacket proved a positive match for badger and roe deer DNA.

Taylor voluntarily relinquished his ownership of the two dogs in favour of the Scottish SPCA

Fiona Caldwell, head of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit said:“Dog fighting is a cruel illegal activity which causes terrible and unnecessary suffering to animals.

“I welcome today’s sentence and the granting of the order preventing Liam Taylor from keeping dogs for ten years.

“COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in this barbaric practice are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on dog fighting to contact the police or the Scottish SPCA.”