A man from Fraserburgh has been banned from owning or keeping dogs for five years after pleading guilty to serious animal welfare offences involving three Labrador dogs.
Andrew Whyte pled guilty to failing to meet the needs of his dogs—Phoenix (4½-year-old female), Bella (2-year-old female), and Vadar (1½-year-old male). The dogs were initially found underweight and scavenging for food in a dirty home environment. Despite being given welfare advice and support by the Scottish SPCA, their condition worsened over the following weeks.
Sentenced to a five-year disqualification from dog ownership
When inspectors returned, all three dogs were found confined together in a tiny cage in a cluttered garage, with no food, water, or bedding. The cage was soiled with faeces and urine.
Whyte admitted failing to provide basic care, including adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary treatment. He was sentenced to a five-year disqualification from dog ownership and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service within nine months.
There was no excuse for the dogs suffering
A Scottish SPCA Inspector reported: “Following a complaint, we attended Mr Whyte’s property and found three underweight Labradors—Phoenix, Bella, and Vadar—scavenging for food in an unclean environment. Despite initial support, their condition deteriorated. On a later visit, we found the dogs crammed into a small, filthy cage in a cluttered garage with no bedding, food, or water.
“Whyte would not engage with us at that later visit. There was no excuse for the dogs suffering as our assistance was available.
“Veterinary assessments confirmed all three were severely emaciated and had suffered unnecessarily over a prolonged period due to neglect. This case is a stark reminder that failing to meet even the most basic needs of an animal causes real suffering—and will not be tolerated.”
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