Pair banned from owning dogs after pets found in 'filthy and dangerous' home

A man and a woman have been banned from owning dogs after three pets were discovered living in “filthy and dangerous” conditions.

Anthony and Liz Conway, from Alexandria, have been disqualified from owning or keeping dogs for three years after causing three dogs “significant mental and physical suffering”.

The Scottish SPCA received a complaint from one of the couple’s neighbours regarding a smell coming from the property.

“The complaint stated that there were possibly four dogs within the property, that one of the dogs had died and that the remaining dogs were never taken out of the property for exercise,” the SSPCA inspector said.

Officers from the charity attended the property and were met by Anthony Conway, who said he was looking after the dogs at the property on behalf of their owner Liz-Anne Conway.

Inside the property were three dogs living in “filthy, hazardous and dangerous living conditions”.

Anthony and Liz Conway, from Alexandria, have been disqualified from owning or keeping dogs for three years. SSPCA

The dogs included a six-year-old female black French bulldog type dog called Raven as well as two one-year-old fawn cross French Bulldog/Bichon Frise type dogs – a male called Blitz and a female called Gypsy.

“On entering, there was a strong smell of urine and faeces. Opening the door to the kitchen three dogs ran out into the hallway. The kitchen floor was covered in dog urine and faeces,” they said.

Officers said there was no clean space available for the dogs to stand or line down.

“A small dog cage contained a soiled blanket, and a plastic dog bed was being used to store a large bag of dog food. An empty water bowl sat on the floor. The kitchen was filled with an overpowering odour,” they added.

Following the inspector, officers removed the dogs from property, and transported them to an SSPCA animal rescue centre for further treatment.

A SSPCA vet found Raven to be suffering with inflamed and painful ears as well as being slightly underweight, and demonstrating a degree of pain in her back.

The vet said Raven had endured “significant pain and suffering” for at least two months due to her owners’ failure to seek veterinary treatment.

They added that Raven’s condition would have been apparent to any reasonable person in the early stages of the disease.

Blitz was found to be slightly underweight and had superficial scrapes on his nose and paw.

Gypsy was found to have some scabbing on her head and superficial abrasions on the pads of her left hind paw.

Additionally, the vet said confining the dogs to the kitchen, surrounded by accumulated faeces and without access to appropriate food, water, resting areas, or toileting opportunities, would have resulted in “significant physical and psychological suffering” over a period of at least two weeks.

SSPCA said suffering endured by all three dogs was “unnecessary and avoidable”.

Anthony Conway pled guilty to not providing their dog, Raven, with necessary veterinary treatment causing pain and unnecessary suffering over at least a two-month period.

Liz Conway pled guilty to failing to provide a suitable living environment.

Both were sentenced at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, May 12, and also received a £250 fine with £20 victim surcharge.

A spokesperson for the SSPCA said the charity was “pleased” with the sentencing saying it recognised the severity of the pet’s neglect.

“The suffering endured by all three dogs was both unnecessary and avoidable,” they said.

“Their basic needs -for a consistent diet, clean water, and, in Raven’s case, timely veterinary care – were not met.”