An evil Scots thug who kept a dog for fighting and had a "home veterinary kit" which contained a blood stained staple gun and syringes has been sentenced.
Liam Taylor, from Aberdeenshire, pled guilty at Banff Sheriff Court on Wednesday to keeping a Bull Lurcher for an animal fight and failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries to the pooch's face, toe and teeth.
The 32-year-old will be under supervision for 12 months and has been ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from keeping dogs for ten years.
The court heard how police and undercover inspectors from the Scottish SPCA made the harrowing discovery after they went to Taylor’s home in Macduff with a warrant on the morning of October 8, 2019.
Two dogs were found in kennels at the back of the garden area.
The male white and black Bull Lurcher, Brock, was found with what were described as "very obvious head and face injuries".
There was also an injury to its front paw with Brock finding it difficult to weight bear on it.
A toolbox was also found in the garden shed which appeared to be a home veterinary kit.
It contained a staple gun and syringes that were covered in dried blood as well as various other medical products.
DNA analysis of the staple gun showed the dog’s blood on the stapler matched that of Brock.
Brock was examined by a specialist vet whose expert opinion was that he had been used repeatedly for hunting resulting in multiple very serious and disfiguring injuries.
The injuries seen were thought to be a mixture of injuries sustained from fighting with foxes and a badger.
It was the vet’s opinion that by failing to seek veterinary treatment, Taylor had caused the dog unnecessary suffering.
A knife found in Taylor’s jacket proved a positive match for badger and roe deer DNA.
Taylor handed over ownership of the two dogs to the Scottish SPCA.
An undercover inspector from the Scottish SPCA’s special investigations unit said: “Brock had very obvious, painful looking facial injuries. There was damage to his nose and his right nostril had been partially removed. There was also degloving to the nose area.
“He had puncture wound and scars over the top of his muzzle, head and face. Brock also had an injury to the lower jaw which looked fresh and painful. These injuries are consistent with animal fighting. As well as the facial wounds, Brock also had an injury to his front paw and he was finding it hard to put weight on it.
“We removed Brock from the property and took him for immediate veterinary attention.”
They continued: “Badger baiting and animal fighting is a horrific crime, most often viewed as ‘sport’ by those to take part in it. The lack of care or regard Taylor showed for wild animals and for Brock is just disgusting. If Taylor had kept forcing Brock to fight, then who knows what would have been the outcome for him.
“We want to send a very clear message to those taking part in animal fighting in Scotland. We will do everything we can to stop animals suffering and bring those involved to justice.
“The public are our eyes and ears so we would urge anyone who knows anyone involved in animal fighting to come forward. If it’s someone close to you, then calls can be treated confidentially and sensitively but please do contact us. We can help.”
Speaking after the sentencing, Fiona Caldwell, Head of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit said: “Dog fighting is a cruel illegal activity which causes terrible and unnecessary suffering to animals.
“I welcome today’s sentence and the granting of the order preventing Liam Taylor from keeping dogs for ten years.
“COPFS will continue to work to ensure those who participate in this barbaric practice are prosecuted and would encourage anyone who may have information on dog fighting to contact the police or the Scottish SPCA.”
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