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Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Daily Record
Injured hedgehog, underweight snake and several dogs found in horrific conditions
"The garden was covered in dog faeces and alongside the wall of the house were numerous black bin bags full of household waste and dog faeces." An Inverness man has been banned from owning animals for four years after a court heard how he kept multiple dogs in horrific conditions and failed to seek vital veterinary care for a hedgehog suffering from a painful eye injury. Scott Trist, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court on Thursday, June 19, where he pled guilty to a series of animal welfare offences. Alongside the ban, he was sentenced to 210 hours of unpaid community service. During a visit to the property last year, Scottish SPCA inspectors found a six-month-old puppy, named Sadie, so frightened she was desperately attempting to hide under a cabinet inside her pen. Officers also discovered several other dogs, including a German Shepherd-type, a Dogue de Bordeaux cross, and a Presa Canario, all living in disgraceful conditions. The floor was smeared with dog excrement, and the rear garden was littered with faeces and overflowing bin bags filled with household and animal waste. Trist initially refused inspectors entry, but a warrant was later obtained to access the property. Upstairs in the home, a seven-foot-long boa constrictor was discovered underweight in a dirty tank strewn with dead, uneaten chicks. Another tank housed an African pygmy hedgehog, who had no access to heating, lighting or food. The hedgehog was found with a severely inflamed eye and a lump on its leg, injuries that had gone untreated. Scottish SPCA inspector involved in the investigation said: 'In April 2024, whilst conducting general duties, we attended an address in Inverness following a complaint to our Animal Helpline. The report raised serious concerns about the living conditions for the dogs at the property, including a large amount of faeces in the rear garden. 'Scott Trist identified himself as the tenant of the property and owner of the dogs refused to let us enter or inspect the rear garden. He reported having several dogs inside the house and mentioned the presence of two boa constrictors. 'Following continued refusal to cooperate, we obtained a warrant to enter the premises. What we found inside was shocking – multiple dogs were living in filth and a terrified puppy trying to hide. 'From outside the conservatory, three dogs were clearly visible to all in attendance. These included a female German Shepherd type, a female Dogue de Bordeaux cross, and a male Presa Canario type. 'Upon entering the living room, we were met with overwhelming evidence of neglect. The floor was heavily soiled with dog excrement, and a section of the room had been fenced off, forming a pen that was saturated with faeces and urine. Within this pen was a young female crossbreed dog, around six months old. The puppy was visibly distressed, cowering in fear and attempting to squeeze under a cabinet to hide. 'The garden was covered in dog faeces and alongside the wall of the house were numerous black bin bags full of household waste and dog faeces. 'Upstairs, we found a small bedroom containing multiple reptile tanks. While most of the enclosures were empty, one large vivarium housed a boa constrictor measuring approximately seven feet in length. The snake was visibly underweight, and the enclosure was strewn with numerous dead, uneaten chicks. 'Another vivarium containing an African pygmy hedgehog, lacked any form of heating or lighting, and no food was available inside. The hedgehog had a visibly inflamed injury to her right eye and a noticeable lump on her front right leg. 'All animals were removed from the property under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. 'This case highlights the severe consequences of neglect and the suffering that animals endure when people fail to meet even the most basic standards of care. We are relieved these animals are now safe and are now in the homes they deserve.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
CTV News
20-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Malnourished German shepherd puppies surrendered to BC SPCA
Surrendered German shepherd mix puppies are seen in this image handed out by the BC SPCA. The BC SPCA is caring for a litter of severely underweight German shepherd mix puppies that were surrendered to the organization earlier this month – and they will be available for adoption soon. The owner, located in the Thompson-Nicola region, had been trying to re-home the accidental litter, the charity says. When animal control officers contacted the owner, they acknowledged they needed help and 'immediately' surrendered the puppies to the BC SPCA. Puppy One of the underweight puppies surrendered to the BC SPCA on June 10 is pictured. 'We appreciate that the owner of these puppies did the right thing and surrendered them, however, there is no denying that these animals were suffering,' said Eileen Drever of the BC SCPA in a Thursday news release. 'We strongly recommend that anyone having difficulty caring for their animals calls the BC SPCA Animal Helpline well before their animals' condition reaches this state to see what support is available to them. Not reaching out for support and allowing the animals to suffer could mean facing charges.' These seven-month-old puppies were all very underweight and dangerously dehydrated, requiring subcutaneous fluids and a monitored re-feeding plan. They also received treatment for parasites and poor dental health. 'These young dogs have been through a lot, but it doesn't show. They love people, love playing with each and in the pool in the centre's yard,' said Meranda Dussault, manager of the BC SPCA Shuswap location, in the release. She said a pup named Checkers, the smallest and weakest of the group, has stolen all the hearts of the BC SPCA staff. Checkers Checkers, one of the surrendered puppies, is pictured. 'She is super shy, but has started to stroll up to staff, tail wagging looking for a cuddle,' said Dussault. 'She is still tired and weak, but she is getting stronger every day.' The BC SPCA says the puppies will be up for adoption in two to four weeks.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
As temperatures rise, B.C. SPCA issues reminders about leaving pets in hot cars
A dog is seen in a car with the window rolled down slightly in this file image. With Environment and Climate Change Canada warning of hot weather on the way, the B.C. SPCA is reminding the public about the serious risks associated with leaving pets in vehicles. 'People underestimate how rapidly a vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels, putting animals at risk of fatal consequences,' said Eileen Drever, senior officer for protection and stakeholder relations with the B.C. SPCA, in a news release Friday. 'We also tend to miscalculate how long we'll be away from our cars. We think we're just running into the store for one item, but the lineups are long, we stop to chat with an acquaintance, and five minutes turns into half an hour or more while your pet suffers in the heat.' For dogs, even a few minutes in a hot car can be life-threatening, according to the B.C. SPCA. Because the animals can't sweat to cool themselves down, their body temperature rises more rapidly than a human's would. Senior dogs, those with flatter faces, and those with underlying health conditions tend to experience more challenges during hot weather, the B.C. SPCA said. Leaving the air-conditioning on or the windows down are not good options, Drever added. 'If the air conditioning fails, your pet could still be in danger,' she said. 'At the end of the day, it's best to simply leave your dog at home where there's more space, water and shade." Last year, the B.C. SPCA's Animal Helpline received 841 calls about pets left in hot cars, a total that works out to 2.3 calls per day, on average. In 2025, so far, the agency has already received 164 calls – or just over one a day. That number is expected to rise as the weather gets hotter, the B.C. SPCA said. In addition to reminding pet owners to leave their animals at home, the agency offered tips for what members of the public should do if they have concerns about an animal found sitting in a hot car. The B.C. SPCA advises taking note of the licence plate, vehicle colour, make and model, and bringing that information to nearby businesses to have the owner paged to return to their vehicle. If the animal is showing signs of distress – such as 'exaggerated panting or no panting at all, salivating, an anxious or staring expression, muscle tremors or lack of coordination, convulsions, vomiting (or) collapse' – the agency advises calling the local animal control agency, police or the B.C. SPCA Animal Helpline as soon as possible. The helpline can be reached at 855-622-7722. 'Don't ignore an animal in distress,' the agency's release reads. 'We understand life is busy, but at the very least, pass along the information to a nearby business or authority.' The B.C. SPCA also recommends against breaking the windows of the vehicle, confronting the owner or forcing the animal to consume water. 'Although most people's intentions are good when they say they would break a glass window to get an animal out of a dangerous hot car situation, it's strongly recommended you don't,' the release reads. 'Not only are you putting yourself at risk when you break a glass window, but you also risk harming the dog.' Only police officers and B.C. SPCA special provincial constables have the authority to break into a vehicle to help a pet in distress, the agency said.
