A man from Carluke has been handed a £450 fine following a Scottish SPCA investigation.

33-year-old David McStay, pled guilty at Lanark Sheriff Court on 23 December for failing to provide adequate veterinary treatment for his dog, Cassie, a 13-year-old lurcher.

Scottish SPCA inspector Heather Lawson said, “On 18 November 2020 we attended an address in Carluke following a call to our helpline from a member of the public who was concerned about several dogs at the property.

“When the dogs were examined by our veterinary staff it was discovered that one of the dogs, a 13-year-old lurcher named Cassie, had severe periodontal disease, pyorrhoea and thick calculus, which would have caused her significant suffering for around one year.

“The dental disease was so severe that the dog required a surgical procedure as a matter of urgency to address these conditions. In total Cassie had 16 teeth extracted.

“McStay claimed to be unaware of Cassie’s condition but any person responsible for the day to day care of this dog would have been able to smell the disease.

“A responsible owner would have sought medical treatment much more promptly and Cassie need not have suffered due to such poor husbandry.

“Although we’re glad that McStay has received a fine we would have liked him to receive a ban on keeping animals due to the disregard he showed for Cassie’s well-being in this case.

“We hope he seriously reconsiders his ability to care for any animal in future.

“If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”