A YOUNG pup was stuffed into a drawer while suffering from horrendous injuries, a court has heard.
The Staffie was left in agony with no access to food, water, light or room to move.
Sauchie man Paul Murray admitted mistreating the pup, named Tyson, and was warned he had come close to being jailed for the offences when he appeared for sentencing at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, February 6.
The 20-year-old caused the four-month old Staffordshire terrier unnecessary suffering by failing to get it treated for a catalogue of horrendous injuries.
He was given a seven-year ban from owning animals by the court.
The poor dog had sustained a fractured elbow, injured hip, and an ear condition between February 21-28 last year.
Instead of taking Tyson to a vet, Murray left the pup to suffer at his property on Gartmorn Road during that period.
He also admitted cramming Tyson into a tiny drawer under a bed on February 28.
Police discovered Tyson in the drawer and immediately seized it from Murray.
The result of a subsequent medical examination of Tyson was read out by fiscal depute Susannah Hutchison in court last week.
She said a vet found "evidence of definite trauma to the head, neck and femur".
The injuries were likely to have been a result of "separate incidents" of trauma, and the pain the dog was in would have been obvious to any owner.
Sadly, Tyson was euthanised on welfare grounds on March 1.
Murray's solicitor, Grazia Robertson, said her client was barely able to care for himself, let alone an animal.
She said this was due to a troubled upbringing, and asked for unpaid work or a curfew to be imposed on Murray.
She added: "Clearly, some punishment is required."
No explanation as to how Tyson came to be so badly injured was offered.
A furious Sheriff Craig Harris warned Murray of how seriously he viewed the offences.
He said: "You put this animal through absolute hell.
"You should be nowhere near animals.
"I've given serious consideration as to whether you should go to prison for this."
Instead, he slapped him with 150 hours of unpaid work, and required him to undergo supervision for one year.
He also banned Murray from owning, keeping, or taking charge of any animal for a period of seven years.
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