Man who kept dogs for fighting banned from ownership

Some of the dogs had injuries consistent with fighting or hunting.

Martin Davidson, from Lochgelly, was sentenced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to keeping four dogs for animal fighting.

He was also found to have videos of his dogs hunting at night.

A court order means he can not own a dog for the next five years.

The court heard that Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA and officers from Police Scotland went to Davidson’s home with a warrant on the 11 September 2019.

They found four dogs at the property. A Staffordshire bull terrier in the house and three brindle bull lurchers in a small kennel and run in the backyard.

They all had scarring to their muzzles, lower jaws and damage to their teeth.

The dogs were removed from the premises and examined by specialist vets. Their expert opinion was that all of the dogs’ injuries were consistent with hunting for badgers and foxes or other animals as well as injuries from fences and other obstacles.

The fresher wounds on the lurchers were consistent with dog bites and likely caused by being held in a kennel that was too small.

Davidson’s phone was seized during the search and images and videos of his dogs hunting at night were found. There were also images of dead deer and foxes and dogs with fresh injuries.

The court made an order depriving him of ownership of the four dogs.

Speaking after the sentencing, Sara Shaw, Head of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit hailed the sentence given to Davidson.

She said: “Dog fighting is a cruel illegal activity which causes terrible and unnecessary suffering to animals.

“I welcome today’s sentence and the granting of the order preventing Martin Davidson from keeping any animal for five years.

"COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in this barbaric practice are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on dog fighting to contact the police or the Scottish SPCA."