Man handed £500 fine after starving pet dogs and leaving them in kennels full of faeces

A man who starved two dogs so badly that one had to be put down has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

Mohammed Kashif Khan failed to meet the basic welfare needs of two female Dogue de Bordeaux dogs who were found without food and water at a home in Cambuslang.

The five-year-old female dogs, named Zeera and Snookum, were first discovered in 2019 in a kennel full of faeces in the back garden of the property.

Scottish SPCA inspectors visited the property again in 2022 following a call from a concerned member of the public.

Both dogs were found visibly emaciated with bones protruding under their fur.

“When we arrived at the property, we found Zeera and Snookum housed in unacceptable conditions,” an SSPCA inspector said.

“Zeera managed to stand and approach us, but Snookum was so weak she struggled to get to her feet. It was immediately clear that both dogs required urgent veterinary attention.

Man banned from keeping animals after emaciated dogs discovered SSPCA

“Due to their poor condition, we had to carry them to our vehicle. Veterinary examination confirmed that both were extremely underweight and dehydrated.

“Snookum’s condition was critical – she was severely malnourished, hypothermic and stumbling from weakness.”

Snookum’s condition was deemed beyond recovery, and she was humanely euthanised to prevent further suffering.

Zeera was taken into the care of a Scottish SPCA rescue and rehoming centre, where she received veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.

The dogs, named Zeera and Snookum, both five years old SSPCA

The inspector added: “This case is a heartbreaking example of unnecessarily prolonged and completely avoidable neglect. No animal should be left to suffer in this way. We are grateful to the member of the public who raised the alarm, it undoubtedly spared further suffering.”

Khan appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, September 19, where he was found guilty of failing to meet the basic welfare needs of the dogs. He received a five-year disqualification order on owning animals and a £500 fine.

The Scottish SPCA is reminding the public that anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal can contact its confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.