A MAN has pled guilty to keeping dogs for fighting.
Andrew Mullan admitted breaching the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 at Lanark Sheriff Court today.
Mullen, from Uddingston, Lanarkshire, kept five fighting dogs, and was also found to have 340 photographs on a laptop showing dogs fighting with foxes, badgers and other dogs.
The offences took place between 1 January 2009 and 31 March 2010 at his home in Uddingston.
Area Procurator Fiscal Tom Dysart, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service lead on wildlife and environmental crime, said:
“The dogs found in Mullen’s garden had multiple injuries and scars which showed they had been involved in recent and historic fights with badgers and foxes.
“Dogs used for animal fights suffer terrible injuries some of which can be fatal. They rarely receive appropriate veterinary treatment.
“The animals who are set upon by these dogs also suffer dreadful injuries, if they are not killed outright. Badgers in particular are given special protection by law, which makes attacks on them even more heinous.
“In pleading guilty, Mullen has accepted his disregard for the well-being of his dogs and of the animals with which they could be forced to fight.
“Welfare laws exist to protect our animals andScotland’s prosecutors will take robust action against anyone who flouts them. Neither offences will against Scotland’s wildlife be tolerated and perpetrators can expect to find themselves in court.”
