Renfrewshire man left cat in 'severe' pain after failing to get treatment for broken leg

A cat owner has been handed a four-year ban after he failed to get his cat medical treatment for a broken leg.

Francis McEwan was sentenced at Paisley Sheriff Court, where he was also given a £700 fine and a £40 victim surcharge.

The Scottish SPCA attended McEwan’s home in Johnstone back in February 2025, following a tip-off made through the animal helpline.

The inspector who visited found McEwan’s black-and-white cat, Oreo, limping, with two fresh puncture wounds on his left hind leg.

McEwan stated that he had contacted the PDSA, but as the cat was not registered under his name, he therefore didn’t qualify for free vet attention.

He was advised by the inspector to keep Oreo in a crate to allow him to rest and recover.

The animal charity attempted to contact McEwan again several times but failed to get a response.

When an inspector paid another visit, it was clear that Oreo was in pain and was using his front legs for support due to McEwan’s failure to seek help.

Oreo was removed from the property and taken for an examination, where the vet concluded the cat was suffering from an infection due to inflamed ears.

There was also a small wound on the inner area of his left hind elbow, which was missing hair and was scabbing over.

The vet determined that Oreo had been suffering for at least two weeks after McEwan’s failure to get the necessary treatment for his limb fracture.

Oreo received pain relief for a broken leg and ear infection and was taken to the Scottish SPCA’s Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Glasgow.  

McEwan was told that Oreo had been subjected to unnecessary suffering.

Oreo was later put to sleep on welfare grounds.

The Scottish SPCA inspector said: “McEwan was offered help by the Scottish SPCA, which would have helped with initial treatment for his cat.

“McEwan chose not to engage with us, which resulted in his cat suffering from a broken leg and ear infection for weeks.”