Woman sentenced after five dogs die after being found in 'abandoned' house covered in faeces

A woman has been jailed after five dogs discovered in an abandoned house covered in faeces and rubbish died.

Stacey Harris, from Dundee, pleaded guilty to six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and one charge of failing to meet their basic welfare needs before their death.

The Scottish SPCA launched an investigation in October 2024 after receiving concerns about eight dogs being abandoned inside a house for over a week.

Two dogs were discovered dead within the property and three were later euthanised. A further three were rescued by officers.

‘Extremely distressing case’

Investigating officers said they were met with an emaciated Sharpei-type dog with visibly infected eyes and an overwhelming smell of faeces and urine upon entering the property.

They also found the remains of a deceased dog stuck in an upstairs bedroom doorway alongside an American Bulldog, who was so malnourished it could not walk.

“A veterinary examination confirmed the American Bulldog was extremely underweight, with her ribs, spine, and hip bones clearly visible”, a Scottish SPCA spokesperson said.

“The entire property was littered with dog faeces, rubbish, and debris.”
Scottish SPCA officers

“She had recently given birth and was suffering from dehydration and skin and ear infections that would have developed over several weeks.”

Investigating officers said the second bedroom was full of dog faeces, empty dog food bags and rubbish.

The body of a deceased Sharpei cross-type dog was found lying on the floor.

Using specialist equipment, three emaciated Sharpei-type dogs were removed from the property and were later euthanised due to the “severity” of their conditions.

Two dead dogs – one a Sharpei cross and the other unidentifiable – were taken for post-mortem examination, which confirmed they had died from “prolonged starvation”.

A Scottish SPCA inspector reported: “This was an extremely distressing case where multiple animals suffered unnecessarily for a prolonged period which could have been easily avoided by contacting an animal welfare organisation for help if needed.

“It is hard to comprehend how any individual cannot attend to their own pets knowing they were locked up in a property.”

Harris was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment and handed a lifetime ban from owning dogs at Dundee Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

She was given a Community Payback Order for 225 hours to be completed within 12 months, and disqualified from owning animals for ten years.

Her offences included starving eight dogs over a period of at least two months by failing to provide adequate nutrition, and neglecting to seek veterinary treatment for painful eye conditions and ear disease.

“The Scottish SPCA and the inspector involved are very pleased with Harris’s sentencing and hope it acts as a deterrent to others”, a Scottish SPCA spokesperson said.