Sisters charged with neglect after dog found in wheelie bin
Two sisters are to stand trial accused of neglecting a dog for a month, leaving it emaciated and dehydrated, then dumping it in a wheelie bin to die.
Two sisters are to stand trial accused of neglecting a dog for a month, leaving it emaciated and dehydrated, then dumping it in a wheelie bin to die.
Norma Stott, 71, and younger sister Heather Stott, 58, are accused of neglecting the pointer crossbreed named Dougal between March 19 and April 15 this year.
They are said to have failed to provide it with "appropriate and adequate nutrition", causing it to become emaciated and failed to provide water for Dougal, causing him to become dehydrated.
The sisters are also said to have provied adequate care and treatment for Dougal, causing him to suffer emaciation, dehydration and dental disease.
Then, on April 14 or 15, the pair are said to have abandoned Dougal in an industrial waste bin in Dundonald Street, Dundee, without access to nutrition and water and with no means of escape.
The animal was found dying the following day by someone emptying rubbish in to the bin, prompting them to call the Scottish SPCA.
They launched an investigation and released photos of Dougal, who had to be put to sleep by vets due to his condition.
Heather Stott, 58, and Norma Stott, 71, both of Court Street, Dundee pleaded not guilty to charges of causing an animal unnecessary suffering and of abandoning an animal in circumstances likely to cause unnecesary suffering.
Neither were present in court when the case called at Dundee Sheriff Court today.
Solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin, defending, entered not guilty pleas on their behalf.
Sheriff Gillian Wade QC set a trial date in November and ordered the pair to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing, also in November.
When Dougal was found Scottish SPCA officers said he was "unable to stand" and described the treatment of the dog as "despicable" and "unthinkably cruel".
The animal was found to be severely malnourished, dehydrated and unable to stand.
The dog was partially inside a black bag when he was found and inspectors believe he may have been fully inside when dumped.
He was immediately taken to a vet who decided the only humane option was to put him to sleep due to the severity of his condition.
Scottish SPCA Chief Inspector John Carle said a local inspector had had to climb into the metal bin to rescue the animal.
He said: "The dog was found at the bottom of a large metal bin, which our local inspector had to climb into in order to rescue him.
"We think it's possible he was put into the bin late on Thursday night or in the early hours of Friday morning when it was dark.
"He was wearing a black nylon collar and had a black bag wrapped around his body from his waist down but we don't know if he was fully inside the bag when he was dumped.
"The dog was estimated to be between 10 and 12 years old so we have to consider that he may have been abandoned due to his age, which is unthinkably cruel.
"This poor dog would have been absolutely terrified and was suffering a great deal when he was found."