Scottish SPCA appeal after dog found riddled with 60 pellet gun wounds in Scots village

The Scottish SPCA has launched a public appeal for information after a dog was found riddled with 60 wounds from a pellet gun.

The tan-coloured lurcher was found straying in the Newhouse area, North Lanarkshire, on August 19 and the local dog warden took him to the animal welfare charity's local animal rescue and rehoming centre.

Animal care experts found the dog, who has been named Ashton, to be very fearful of anyone approaching him and especially protective of his head and neck area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was unable to receive a full veterinary check for the first few days. Vets had to sedate him to check him over, and that’s when it became clear he had been shot.

The dog was found with 60 pellet gun wounds. Pictures: SSPCAThe dog was found with 60 pellet gun wounds. Pictures: SSPCA
The dog was found with 60 pellet gun wounds. Pictures: SSPCA

‘He was terrified’

Claire Aiton, assistant manager of the centre in Lanarkshire, said: “The dog warden had quite an ordeal trying to catch Ashton as he was so nervous.

“When he first arrived he was terrified and showing visible signs of distress.

“We were astonished to find pellet wounds all over his body and tail when he was X-rayed.

“Once the pellets had been removed and Ashton had recovered from the operation, his temperament changed quickly. He was no longer aggressive and we suspect he was reacting negatively due to the pain he was in.

“Our team has dedicated time to coaxing Ashton out of his shell and although he is still nervous, he has come on leaps and bounds. He lets us put a lead on him and he enjoys going out for walks. He’s even letting us cuddle and clap him.

“He is currently receiving the rehabilitation he needs and is not available for rehoming at the moment. When he is ready, people will be able to apply via the website.

“We would like to find out what happened to Ashton. It might be that he wandered too close to farm animals and a farmer has shot him. It is lawful for farmers to be able to do this to protect their animals."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Anyone who can provide further information on how Ashton came to be injured in this way should contact the Scottish SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director