Hamilton family banned from owning pets for five years

Mar 4 2010

TWO members of the same Hillhouse family have been banned from owning pets for five years.

George McGaw (52) and his son David McGaw (24) were issued with the ban after both admitted neglecting five different animals over a six-month period last year.

Last Thursday, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that George McGaw caused unnecessary suffering and injury by wilfully neglecting and failing to provide adequate nutrition and veterinary attention to four pets at his home in Townhill Road last year.

These pets included a lurcher named Charlie, a Jack Russell terrier named Mutcher and two short-haired cats named Roxy and Broxy.

The offence was committed over a period of time between April 5 and October 5 last year, at which point the Scottish SPCA stepped in.

McGaw pleaded guilty to the charge.

His son, David McGaw, who lives in nearby Comrie Crescent, also admitted wilfully neglecting a white-and-tan lurcher named Princess by not providing adequate nutrition and veterinary attention at the Townhill Road address over the same six-month period last year.

It is understood all five animals have since been rehomed by the Scottish SPCA.

Scottish SPCA Inspector Gillian Dick revealed this week that the family had already been warned about their treatment of their pets.

They had also been advised to take the animals to a vet as they were suffering from skin complaints.

However, the advice was ignored and the case ended up in court.

Ms Dick said: “We welcome the conviction of the McGaws for failing to provide veterinary care and a nutritious diet for their pets.

“The animals were underweight, undernourished and suffering from skin complaints which would have been causing great discomfort.

“It is very disappointing that they ignored our earlier warning to have their animals treated by a vet.

“This case goes to show that if people fail to act on our advice then we have no option but to prosecute.

“We are always looking for a life-time ban on owning animals in cases such as this but we hope that the five-year ban that has been given will make the McGaws realise that they are unfit to care for animals.”

At court last week, Sheriff John Stewart slapped the ban on the pair.

If breached, both could face further criminal action.

Sheriff Stewart also fined George McGaw £400, to be paid at a rate of £15 per fortnight.

David McGaw was fined £200, payable at £10 per fortnight.