A person has been banned from proudly owning animals after six puppies had been present in his automobile at a Scottish ferry port lined in urine and faeces.
Stephen McRea, 29, from Belfast, was discovered attempting to move the six collie puppies from Northern Eire to Stranraer on December 3, 2020, a courtroom has heard.
The poorly pups had been all discovered to be underweight and examined optimistic for the Parvo virus antigen - and three of them later died. He has since been given a 15-year ban from proudly owning animals.
Police stopped McRea at Loch Ryan Port, Cairnryan, in gray Ford Transit van after it had disembarked from the P&O ferry crusing from Larne Port, Northern Eire.
Cops seen a powerful, pungent scent of animal urine emanating from the driving force's window.
Once they requested McRea what he was carrying he stated that he was transporting a "couple of canines" to a member of the family in Glasgow.
They searched the van and located six collie-type puppies in a cage within the load house of the automobile with no meals or water.
There have been two blankets that had been lined in each urine and faeces. The entire puppies had been additionally lined within the excrement, the courtroom was instructed.
The ground of the load house was lined in sawdust and had traces of dried faeces. The police eliminated the puppies earlier than handing them over to the Scottish SPCA to be examined by vets.
McRea was sentenced at Stranraer Sheriff Courtroom on Tuesday after beforehand pleading responsible to failing to take steps to offer the collie puppies with meals, water or an acceptable place to relaxation whereas transporting them.
He was additionally ordered to hold out 90 hours unpaid work and will likely be supervised for a yr below a neighborhood payback order imposed by the courtroom.
Talking after the sentencing, Karon Rollo, Head of the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit of COPFS stated: "I welcome the conviction and sentence on this case.
"Stephen McRea's failure to assembly essentially the most fundamental wants of those puppies and supply an acceptable atmosphere for them whereas they had been his duty is wholly unacceptable.
"We're dedicated to tackling one of these offending and can proceed to work with the Scottish SPCA and Police Scotland to make sure that those that commit such crimes face prosecutorial motion."
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