A Fife man has been sentenced after admitting training his dogs to violently bait wild animals.
Martin Davidson, 23, from Lochore, was found in possession of videos showing his dogs attacking foxes and posing with injured and dead animals, following an investigation by the Scottish SPCA.
After receiving intelligence that Davidson's was keeping animals at his home for fighting purposes, SPCA officers raided the property and the injured animals were uncovered.
Three of the dogs involved in the case were male, brindle coloured bull lurchers named Tramp, Mojo and Sid.
The other was a female, white and tan, Staffordshire bull terrier named Lady.
Lady, was found to have significant scarring to her muzzle and lower jaw.
Officers say these injuries are consistent with animal fighting, in particular badger baiting.
The three lurchers were found outdoors in a kennel and run in the rear garden, far too small for their size and breed.
Two had obvious, fresh injuries to their ears and heads.
They also found animal fighting paraphernalia, including hunting gear, blood stained wellies and a spot lamp commonly using for lamping with dogs, which is hunting at night.
A Scottish SPCA special investigations unit inspector, who cannot be named due to undercover operations, said, “We received intelligence that Davidson was keeping and training dogs for the purposes of animal fighting.
“We obtained a search warrant and gained entry to the home of Davidson where we found the four dogs.
“Multiple images were discovered of his dogs pictured with dead animals at night. Some featured the dogs viciously gripping foxes between their jaws.
“During interview, Davidson admitted that the four dogs were not registered with a vet and did not receive any medication or treatment to ease their suffering from any of the injuries they had sustained
“Other photos showed Lady, Tramp, Mojo and Sid in the back of Davidson’s vehicle at night with fresh injuries. Our expert vets determined these were consistent with animal fighting, specifically with badgers and foxes."
Davidson pleaded guilty to training his dogs for animal fighting, including badger baiting, and for failing to provide veterinary treatment to an injured dog in his care at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on August 27.
He was today sentenced to 160 hours’ community service and given a five-year ban on owning, keeping or dealing with dogs.
The officer added: “The disregard that Davidson had for the welfare of the wild animals he forced his dogs to fight, and for his own dogs, is unfathomable.
"The dogs are in our care and are currently receiving the rehabilitation they need.
“We are pleased the sheriff issued the ban which will stop Davidson owning or having any dealings with dogs. By ordering this, the sheriff recognised the threat that Davidson poses to any canine in his care.
“Sadly these types of offences are not uncommon across Scotland, causing serious distress, injury and suffering to the dogs and wild animals.
"The Scottish SPCA Special Investigation Unit is dedicated to combatting animal fighting and specialise in dealing with these types of offences. We would encourage the public to reports suspicions in confidence.
“If anyone has any information pertaining to individuals who are involved in this activity, we would urge them to contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
Davidson is one of several “urban hunters” to be prosecuted recently after a rise in the sadistic practices, which have been accelerated by the use of social media platforms, where gory images are exchanged and hunts are arranged.
