A game warden has been banned from keeping pets for 20 years after his lurcher dog was found “extremely emaciated” and close to death.
A Perth vet said it was “the worst case of neglect” she had ever seen.
Christopher Robertson’s dog was seized by police after an angry stand-off in a layby on the A822 Muthill to Braco road.
If the dog had not received emergency treatment, it would have been dead within days, Perth Sheriff Court heard.
Robertson, of Pratt Street, Kirkcaldy, admitted causing the dog unnecessary suffering between March and July 2018.
The 50-year-old further admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and possession of a knife in a public place.
Imposing the 20 year pet ban, Sheriff Francis Gill told Robertson: “This is a shocking catalogue of neglect.
“It’s clear to me from the photographs produced by the Crown that you treated this dog appallingly.”
He added: “I commend the action of the two witnesses who reported this matter to the police.”
Robertson was also placed on a Restriction of Liberty curfew for nine months.
Resident heard ‘roaring’ and ‘screaming’
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson said the alarm was raised by a resident near the A822 layby and her gardener, on July 13, 2018.
They heard Robertson “roaring” and the sound of a small dog yelping, and a larger dog “screaming”.
Ms Wilkinson said: “This noise continued for about an hour, and both witnesses became increasingly alarmed for the welfare of the dogs.”
The gardener phoned the police and two officers arrived at about 4.40pm.
“They saw the accused walking an extremely emaciated lurcher-type dog,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“Even as they pulled up, they saw the dog was almost completely bald and covered in sores.
“All of its ribs and hips were showing.”
As they approached, Robertson tried to place the dog in the back of his pick-up truck.
“The dog was too weak to jump onto the tailgate and he lifted her in,” said the fiscal depute.
Robertson became aggressive when officers approached and asked about his dog.
He said to them: “F***s it to do with you” and “there’s nothing wrong with her, f*** off. I’m not telling you my name, I’ve done f*** all.”
Stand-off under the truck
Robertson walked away from police, towards his vehicle.
“He managed to grab the underside of the car and pulled half his body underneath,” said Ms Wilkinson.
“As he did so, his T-shirt rose up and a sheath and knife were seen attached to the front of his belt.”
The knife, which had a three-inch blade, was pulled out by one of the officers and thrown to safety.
Police called for back-up after Robertson slid further underneath his vehicle.
He stayed there for about 20 minutes.
When he finally emerged, he was asked about his knife.
He replied: “I’m a gamekeeper, it’s for gralloching deer.”
Vets’ verdict
As well as the lurcher, police found a small Border Terrier in Robertson’s truck.
Ms Wilkinson said: “It appeared to be in a better condition than the first dog.
“The grey lurcher-type was so weak it could not get to its feet without assistance.
“It was seen to be even more emaciated up close and was covered in open sores.
“It was almost completely without fur, and all four paws were bleeding between each toe.
“It was in need of immediate and expert medical treatment.”
The dogs were taken to Tay Valley Pets in Perth.
Surgeon Rhuairidh Mackenzie, who examined them, said: “The body condition of the lurcher was the worst I’d ever seen.
“Her condition was at the extreme end of the scale for neglect and/or cruel treatment.”
He added: “No reasonable person could have looked at her and not known she needed urgent attention.”
The court heard “the state of malnutrition was such that food had to be introduced very carefully – normal food portions would have been dangerous to her kidneys and liver, and she would have been unable to cope.”
The dog’s paws were covered in bubble wrap to try and increase her temperature.
She also required antibiotics and was put on an IV drip.
Another surgeon Kate Jamieson added: “It’s my opinion that this case involved months of neglect.
“If the whippet had not received treatment when she did, I think she would have died over the weekend.”
She said: “It has been the worst case of neglect that I have ever seen – definitely the skinniest.”
Brain injury led to confusion
Solicitor David Holmes said his client had suffered a brain injury from an assault earlier in 2018.
“It affected his behaviour, including delusions, confusion and memory loss.
“He did not receive treatment until the end of that year.”
Mr Holmes said: “He has expressed his upset that the dog had suffered in the way she did.”
