Pets left to die in filthy home

Published 18 Aug 2010 09:30

A PET owner who neglected his animals to the point that a rabbit and two hamsters were found dead in his rubbish filled home has blamed the incident on “stress”.

Graeme Robertson (32) admitted failing to ensure the welfare of seven rabbits and two hamsters at his Alloa home.

The appalling conditions first came to light after neighbours complained about the stench emanating from Robertson’s flat in Mary Stevenson Drive.

Animal inspectors were called to investigate on 6 February and found the hallway filled with rabbit faeces, reaching up to four inches deep, with rabbits roaming freely amongst used tin cans and milk cartons strewn on the floor.

On searching the property, inspectors found a rabbit lying dead in the bedroom while in the kitchen two cages were discovered including one containing the carcases of two hamsters.

Inspector Leanne McPake, who led the investigation, described the conditions of the flat as “disgusting and completely unsanitary”.

She added, “We were met with a horrendous stench of ammonia when we entered the property and I have never before witnessed such filthy conditions in an occupied home. Obviously our concerns were for the animals living in this environment but it’s also worrying that the accused was living there as well, apparently oblivious to the severity of the situation.”

At Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday Robertson was banned from owning or keeping any animals for three years under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) 2006.

Gordon McIntyre, defending, described it as an “unusual case”. He said, “I have asked him if he could shed any light on why he acted the way he did. He attributed it to stress and depression. He was working a lot of hours and he was struggling to cope.”

Mr McIntyre said his client had turned his life around and was now engaged and living in Durham

He went on, “Looking at it, it seems behaviour that is hard to rationalise. He is unlikely to be an individual that is likely to come to the court’s attention again. He tells me that at the moment he does not have any animals.”

Sentencing Robertson, Sheriff David Mackie told him, “I recognise that these are circumstances that in the cold light of day are very difficult to explain. I accept the explanation tendered that times were difficult when the incident occurred.”

Inspector McPake welcomed the ban on Robertson but admitted disappointment that it was not more severe.

She said, “We’re pleased the accused has received a three year ban on keeping animals, but in cases of animal neglect such as this we are always looking for a life time ban to ensure no animals have to live in these sorts of conditions ever again.”

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