Scots woman banned from keeping animals for five years after extreme neglect

Daily Record

25-04-2025

Three dogs were discovered cramped inside a tiny cage in direct sunlight with no water at a home in Aberdeenshire. Demi Crowley has been banned from owning or keeping any animal for five years after she neglected the brown and white Border Collie called Spud, brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Diesel and tan male Cockapoo dog called Buddy. Crowley has pled guilty to failing to ensure the needs of her three dogs after she kept them in conditions which were deemed to be detrimental to their physical and mental wellbeing and likely to cause suffering. She also failed to ensure the welfare needs were met of a tabby coloured female small Bengal type cat which was kept in appalling conditions. Animal welfare officers received a call from Police Scotland after they attended the property in May last year and found the three dogs had been locked in the cage. The dogs were in direct sunlight on a hot day, panting, with no water, and were seen to be stressed. The cage the dogs had been shut in was said to have been for one medium sized dog "at most". Meanwhile, the small Bengal type cat was discovered in the bathroom surrounded by its own faeces and with no fresh water or food in sight. All four animals were seized by the Scottish SPCA to secure their welfare and prevent further suffering. Crowley was sentenced at Banff Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 16 April. She also received a community payback order with supervision for one year. A Scottish SPCA Inspector said: 'In May last year we received a call from Police Scotland after they attended a property and raised concerns of the welfare of animals within. 'We attended the same day and police officers confirmed three dogs had been locked in a cage. They had removed the dogs from the cage due to extremely cramped conditions and the dogs were in direct sunlight on a hot day, panting, with no water, and were obviously stressed. 'Upon entering the property, I saw that the living area and kitchen were in a state of disarray, with clothes, rubbish, boxes, and dishes scattered across all surfaces and worktops. The cage the dogs had been shut in should only house one medium sized dog at most and only be used for short periods and not left in direct sunlight. The three dogs were in reasonable condition. 'The cage was empty on my arrival as police had let the dogs out. However, I observed no water, no bedding or comfort and no food bowls. The cage was dirty and had nothing but the plastic tray at bottom. 'The cat was within the bathroom and on opening the bathroom door, the smell of urine, faeces and ammonia was overwhelming and eye watering. A tabby coloured female small Bengal type cat came over to the door and appeared in good condition although she smelt horrendous indicating she had been there for some time. 'The litter tray can only be described as disgusting with nothing, but solid faeces built up over several months and the cat had resorted to defecating on the floor and surfaces, there were empty food containers and rubbish strewn throughout but no fresh water or food. 'We seized all four animals under Section 32 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to secure their welfare and prevent further suffering. We are pleased Crowley received a five-year ban. The conditions these animals were found in and subjected to were completely unacceptable.'