Gillian Moir failed to provide one pig with an adequate diet, leading to the adult sow becoming emaciated.
An Oldmeldrum woman who failed to feed an adult female pig properly and to provide parasite control to a further two pigs has been sentenced to a 12-month Community Payback Order, a disqualification order of 10 years and fined £300.
Gillian Moir pleaded guilty to two charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Moir admitted to causing an adult sow unnecessary suffering by failing to provide an adequate nutritional diet which led to the female’s emaciated body condition. Moir also admitted to causing suffering to a further two pigs by failing to protect them from disease and neglecting to provide effective parasite control, causing them to have itchy and inflamed skin.
The disqualification order includes:
- Owning or keeping animals with the exception of cats, dogs, sheep and lambs
- Dealing in any animals with the exception of sheep and lambs
- Transporting animals with the exception of sheep and lambs
- Working with or using animals with the exception of cats, dogs, sheep and lambs
- Riding or driving animals with the exception of sheep and lambs
- Providing any service relating to animals which involves taking possession of animals with the exception of sheep and lambs
- Taking possession of animals for the purpose of an activity in respect of which a disqualification mentioned above is imposed
- Taking charge of animals for any purpose with the exception of cats, dogs, sheep and lambs
Visible hip bones, ribs and spine
A Scottish SPCA Inspector attended an address in Oldmeldrum on April 15 2025, after a call was made to the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline expressing concern for the pigs. On arrival at the property, the Inspector saw two pigs and six piglets outside in an electric fenced-off area. There was also piping coming out of the ground and a cable with an electric plug on the end which was not known to be live or not.
One of the pigs, the large white sow, had visible hip bones, ribs and spine and she had no muscle on her back end. Her whole back end swayed when moving and her back legs would cross over when walking. She was the mother of the six piglets.
The other pig, a male ‘Saddleback’, appeared in reasonable to good condition.
Moir then took the Inspector into a shed where there were four other pigs within an inside pen which was bedded with straw and water was available. Both a male and female kunekune type pig appeared to have itchy and red skin – the female also had very overgrown hooves. The Inspector also viewed the area where the outdoor pigs had access to. It had a small bedded straw area and was severely unkempt with bits of plastic lying around. Moir signed over the pigs to the Scottish SPCA and they were taken to one of The Society’s centres.
The Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “The condition of these pigs was totally unacceptable. No responsible owner would have let their health deteriorate in such a way. It was extremely saddening to see the sow in such poor condition.”
The primary concern was the sow. During a veterinary examination, she was found to be severely malnourished with a body condition score of one out of five. The weight loss is most likely to have occurred over a minimum period due to the higher nutrition requirement of the sow with suckling piglets and the inappropriate feeding of the sow over this time. There was also evidence of lice and hair loss on her skin.
Following a veterinary exam, the male kunekune pig was found to have reddened, inflamed skin behind the ears and around the neck, as well as areas of hair loss over the body. The female kunekune pig had a body condition score of two out of five. The lower half of her body had inflamed skin with almost complete hair loss. All four feet were overgrown and causing her to walk with abnormally flat feet.
Previously convicted of animal neglect, to find further animals neglected in this way is extremely disappointing
The Scottish SPCA has previously been involved with Moir. In February 2024, Moir was sentenced for animal neglect where she was banned from keeping all animals except sheep, pigs, cats and dogs for a period of 10 years. She was also fined £2,475.
The Scottish SPCA Inspector added: “We are disappointed with the outcome and the court’s decision.”
“Given Ms Moir has previously been convicted of animal neglect, to find further animals neglected in this way is extremely disappointing.”
The Scottish SPCA is calling for a National Animal Offenders register to be built into existing intelligence systems to support monitoring of individuals convicted of animal cruelty — particularly those banned from owning animals — and flag repeat offenders like Moir. Importantly, it would also help address the well-established link between those who harm animals and those who go on to harm humans. Read our full manifesto here: Our Manifesto – Scottish SPCA.
