Greenock man sentenced after Scottish SPCA investigation into the ‘worst case’ of bird neglect

Brandon Robert Hodge, of Greenock, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court for sentencing on Tuesday 4th November 2025 after pleading guilty to several charges earlier this year. Hodge was sentenced to 12 months supervision, 90 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from owning or keeping animals for five years.

Scottish SPCA SIU  (Special Investigations Unit) Inspector said: “We are pleased with the outcome and the court’s decision. This is one of the worst cases I’ve worked on regarding bird welfare. The birds were seriously distressed, in an unsanitary and inappropriate environment, being subject to severe mental and physical suffering. This case is a step in the right direction for animal welfare in Scotland.”

Details of the case

Officers from Police Scotland attended the property with Scottish SPCA SIU Inspectors and expert veterinary surgeons in May 2024.

Nineteen birds of prey and owls were found confined inside dog and cat carriers encrusted with faecal matter and waste upstairs. On the floor surrounding the carriers the birds were constrained in what was a significant build-up of faecal matter and waste infested by maggots and insects.

The Scottish SPCA SIU Inspector reported: “The poor condition the birds were in and suffering they had endured significantly upset all involved in bringing this case to light. Upon entering the room the birds were being kept within, our experienced vets were brought to tears.”

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. The charity continues to urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cruelty.

All nineteen birds had no water provided or space to stretch wings, carriers were encrusted with faeces, casts and remains of chicks. In addition to this, they also suffered as below:

• Melanistic Barn Owl: a dirty leash was found and the carrier it was in wasn’t large enough to stretch its wings.
• Eurasian Eagle Owl: tail feathers frayed, primary feathers on right wing broken and frayed on the left wing.
• Northern White-Faced Owl: feet were filthy with excrement with a moist, swollen lesion at the top of one foot and it was warm to the touch. Barely any tail left due to trauma and contamination.
• Tropical Screech Owl: significant damage to tail and wings appeared clipped to prevent flight.
• Little Owl: feet and tail feathers were grossly contaminated and dirty. Anklets which were to large and heavy for this bird were removed to prevent further suffering.
• Northern Hawk Owl: primary wings frayed, feet filthy and heavy faecal build-up was dangling from its tail.
• Red Footed Falcon: wing slightly tattered, primary feathers frayed, tail feathers badly damaged, legs attached to filthy anklets, jesses and leash which were caked in faeces. Its beak was dirty due to no water or clean surface to rub it against.
• Pygmy Falcon: feet completely caked in dried faeces to the point talons were not visible, tail and wings significantly damaged and beak had heavy build up.
• Indian Scops Owl 1: lower beak was long and needed coping, feet and jesses were grossly contaminated with faecal material and had solidified around the talons. Tail feathers and tips of wings were badly frayed.
• Indian Scops Owl 2: feet and anklets were heavily contaminated with faeces caked over talons. Primary wing feathers and tail were damaged.
• Two Barn Owls: tethered together within a small carrier by thick, twisted solid leashes. Both had significantly dirty wing tips which were frayed and anklets contaminated by faecal matter.
• American Kestrel 1: foot was missing, talons were caked in faeces and tail feathers severely damaged and dirty.
• American Kestrel 2: tail and wings embedded with dirt and heavily contaminated with faecal matter, tail tip was virtually destroyed and its upper beak was overlong.
• American Kestrel 3: tail was badly disrupted and covered in faeces, talons and beak long and its feet were filthy.
• Another Two Barn Owls: long upper beak, dirty feet, with wing and tail tips badly damaged and contaminated.
• Red-Tailed Hawk: carrier was infested with maggots and beetles, its feet were so badly contaminated with faeces that it wasn’t possible to visualise or assess condition.
• Harris’s Hawk: rope leash attached to its leg was trapped in the carrier door, it had a severe constriction lesion on its leg which was open and exposing the soft tissue.

If you need to report animal cruelty, please Contact Us today.