Two dead dogs found abandoned in flat covered in faeces and rubbish

This article contains details some readers may find distressing.

A man has been jailed for leaving his dog to starve to death surrounded by rubbish while another dead dog lay covered in blankets in the next room.

Kieran Cassidy from Coatbridge was given a 60-day sentence after pleading guilty to failing to provide his dog Poser, a male XL Bully-type dog, with a suitable diet, which caused his death.

Poser had been abandoned in Cassidy’s rented property without access to food or water and had resulted to eating plastic and rubbish.

The SSPCA was called to the address in December 2023 after the dog’s body was discovered.

Scottish SPCA inspector Jack Marshall said: “The property itself was in very poor condition with animal faeces and household clutter throughout.

“Several of the doors and sections of wall had been destroyed or damaged.

“In the rear bedroom, a deceased dog, identified as Poser, was located lying sprawled on the floor, in an emaciated state. The dog was surrounded by rubbish and household clutter and appeared to have collapsed and died as it now lay.”

After investigating further, a second dead dog was found on a bed in another room.

Inspector Marshall added: “This dog was laid flat on its side, covered in the blankets and duvet of the be,d and appeared in a much more advanced state of decomposition than the other.

“The post-mortem of Chopper proved inconclusive given the stage of decomposition.

“Poser’s post-mortem, however, showed that his most likely cause of death was due to starvation and that he had been caused considerable unnecessary suffering given his emaciated condition.

“In his desperation, Poser had turned to eating plastic and rubbish within the room prior to his death.

“Cassidy claimed he had come back to the property and found that the two dogs had got in together and Poser had killed Chopper in a fight.

“He then shut Poser in the back bedroom.”

Cassidy was sentenced at Airdrie Sheriff Court on February 27, and he also received a ten-year disqualification from being in charge of dogs.

Inspector Marshall commented: “We are pleased that Cassidy received a ten-year ban, but it should have been a lifetime ban.

“His complete and total failure to take any appropriate steps or to ensure his dog’s welfare, and just walking away, leaving Poser to die a horrific death, was nothing short of barbaric.”