A DOG who was found severely underweight and lying in his own urine had to be put down following weeks of neglect from its owner.

Scamp, a 20-year-old male crossbreed, was found lying unresponsive in the corner of a Castlemilk home by an SSPCA inspector on January 15.

His owner, James McNicol, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court charged with causing the animal to suffer.

Scamp was found to be severely underweight, have severe mouth infection and a laceration inside his cheeks which was noted as excessive and would have caused pain.

When examined by a vet surgeon he was also dull on presentation and made no attempt to stand.

He was between 10-12 per cent dehydrated, with 10-15 per cent being life-threatening.

Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: “An SSPCA inspector attended at the home of the accused in response to information received from the animal helpline. A caller stated a dog at the address was unwell, unable to stand and having seizures. The caller provided the owner’s name as the accused.”

Glasgow Times:

On arrival at McNicol’s door, the inspector identified herself and the reason for her attending. He lied and said James McNicol was taking the dog for a walk and would be back later.

But he later identified himself and let her in.

Ms Keel added: “The accused stated he would not allow her to remove his dog. In the corner of the living room was Scamp lying in his own urine. The dog’s spine and rib bones were protruding and clearly visible. There was no fat coverage on the dog at all.

“The dog was unresponsive but on closer inspection, he was still breathing. He didn’t respond to voice or touch. He was unwilling to raise his head from the ground.

“It was very obvious that the dog required urgent vet attention and couldn’t remain within the property.”

When the inspector removed Scamp, McNicol, 39, became verbally aggressive and stated loud and repeatedly he would not allow his dog to be taken to a vet.

But the inspector explained she had the authority to do so and lifted Scamp to her vehicle.

After being examined by a vet surgeon, Scamp was euthanised to prevent ongoing suffering.

Ms Keel said: “The surgeon noted that he would expect a reasonable owner to have sought vet treatment for the dog prior to his injuries becoming extensive as they were.”

The court heard that Scamp originally belonged to McNicol’s mother, who died 10 years ago.

His defence solicitor explained that McNicol was the one who called the SSPCA in the first place.

He said: “There were previous reports of the dog being unwell back in 2018. A statement from the SSPCA inspector who attended concluded that the dog hadn’t been neglected.

“For his age at the time, he was in a reasonably good condition. He was the one who phoned the SSPCA.

“Clearly in the weeks leading up to the phone call the dogs health had deteriorated rapidly. He realises there were significant problems, that’s why he made the phone call.

“He’s not proud of himself. He accepts the offence committed and wouldn’t seek to argue against the disqualification of owning a dog.”

Sheriff Diana McConnell banned McNicol from keeping or owning an animal for five years.

He was also tagged and ordered to stay within his home from 8pm-6am and be under social work supervision for 12 months.

The sheriff told him: “The condition of the dog was appalling; he was clearly suffering.”