Jail for man who left dog in ‘appalling’ conditions

A MAN who left his dog alone in “appalling conditions” for two days has been jailed for three months and banned from keeping the animals for three years, an animal charity has said.

Following a Scottish SPCA investigation, John McGowan, 46, from St Fergus, Peterhead, was sentenced at the town’s Sheriff Court.

He had previously pled guilty to leaving Balto, his Alaskan malamute, unattended for two days without making adequate provisions for his welfare.

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The conviction comes after Scottish SPCA inspectors visited McGowan’s home in October 2011 and found Balto living in appalling conditions.

The inspectors said eight-year-old Balto was alone in a room which was covered in faeces and urine and he had no water available.

Chief Inspector John Carle said: “We are very pleased McGowan has received a jail sentence as well as a ban on keeping dogs as this sends out a strong message that neglecting an animal is an offence and will not be tolerated.

“Poor Balto had been left all alone in appalling conditions and was so thirsty when we found him that he drank four bowls of water without stopping.

“The smell of urine and faeces in McGowan’s property was overpowering as Balto had been forced to use his home as a toilet.

“Thankfully, Balto no longer has to live a life of misery and we can now find him a loving new home.”

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