ANGELA TODD AND MARTIN RANDALL FROM BELLSHILL ESCAPE JAIL AFTER CRUELTY TO DOG

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Angela Todd and her partner Martin Randall, both residents of Bellshill, faced serious allegations regarding their treatment of a Staffordshire bull terrier named Marley. The couple, who previously lived on Gateside Road in Craigneuk, Wishaw, and later moved to Clydesdale Road, Bellshill, were found to have inflicted severe suffering upon their pet due to their neglectful care.

Marley, a dog that should have been loved and protected, was subjected to such extreme neglect that he resorted to chewing off his own tail in an attempt to alleviate his pain. The situation was so dire that the dog was forced to wear a muzzle that caused additional injury to his face. The injuries inflicted upon Marley were both physical and psychological, highlighting the extent of the owners' disregard for his well-being.

Investigators from the Scottish SPCA, led by Inspector Heather Lawson, responded to the scene after receiving reports of animal cruelty. Upon arrival at the property, Inspector Lawson observed Marley wearing a muzzle and noted the presence of a foul smell emanating from his tail injury. The inspector described the injury as severe, with injuries also visible on either side of the dog’s face, which were later confirmed to be caused by the muzzle itself.

Inspector Lawson recounted, “When I arrived at the property the dog, named Marley, was wearing a muzzle and it was clear he had a severe tail injury and also had injuries on either side of his face, which were later discovered to be from the muzzle. On closer inspection I noticed how severe Marley’s tail injury was. There was a foul smell coming from it and the dog was constantly snapping round to scratch it. It was clear that his injury was causing him extreme mental distress as well as constant pain.”

Despite the evident suffering, the owners failed to seek veterinary treatment for Marley’s festering wound, which worsened over time, leading to significant physical and mental distress. Tragically, the severity of his condition ultimately resulted in Marley being euthanised on welfare grounds to end his suffering.

Following the investigation, both Angela Todd and Martin Randall were brought before the court. They received a sentence of 200 hours of community service and were banned from owning animals for five years. However, this ban expired in February 2022, raising concerns about future animal welfare.

The case drew attention to the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect. Inspector Heather Lawson expressed her hope that the couple would reflect on their actions and reconsider their suitability to care for animals in the future, emphasizing that Marley’s suffering could have been prevented with proper care and timely veterinary intervention.

Despite the court’s decision, the case remains a stark reminder of the cruelty that can occur behind closed doors and the ongoing need for vigilance and enforcement to protect vulnerable animals in communities like Bellshill.