Dog abused by Hillhouse father and son is taken in by new family

Mar 11 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

ONE of the dogs at the centre of last month’s animal abuse case is settling in with a new family, the Advertiser can reveal.

Three-year-old lurcher Princess was rehomed by Scottish SPCA officers after they investigated her previous owners in Hillhouse, Hamilton.

Now named Penny, the dog is living with a new, loving family in another part of the county and is rapidly heading back to health.

New owner Elaine McIntyre (40) told the Advertiser that, since the pet came to live with the family, she has gone from strength to strength.

She said: “We picked up Penny back in December and at that time she was in a really bad way.

“She was very timid. But as soon as she came in the house, it was like she knew she was now somewhere good.

“She has put on six kilos in weight since she arrived and she’s much healthier and bouncier.

“She is really settling in well. We took her to the vet this week after she cut her paw and the vet was shocked that it was the same dog. She’s so different.”

Penny now lives with Elaine, her husband Ewen and children Rebecca (15) and Nathan, who is eight.

Penny, along with two other dogs and two cats, was found to be malnourished and underweight when discovered by officers at a house in Townhill Road last October.

As a result, callous pair George McGaw (52) and his son David McGaw (24) were both fined and banned from keeping pets for five years.

They were issued with the ban after both admitted neglecting the animals over a six-month period last year.

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

The offence was committed over a period of time between April 5 and October 5 last year, then 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 Penny over the same six-month period last year.

Scottish SPCA Inspector Gillian Dick said: “The animals were underweight, undernourished and suffering from skin complaints which would have been causing great discomfort.

“It is very disappointing that these people 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 lifetime 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 month, Sheriff John Stewart slapped the ban on the pair.

If it is 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.