CAASI MCCRINDLE ABANDONS CAT IN ELGIN - SCOTTISH SPCA RESCUE

Caasi McCrindle, born around 1991 and residing on Masonic Close in Elgin, was found guilty of neglecting a helpless animal in her care. Between April 16 and 18, 2016, she left a domestic cat named Albus inside an unoccupied property, where the animal was left without access to food or water for an extended period. The situation came to light when a member of the public, concerned about the distressed meowing of the cat, contacted the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA).

Senior inspector Alison Simpson described the distressing scene: the cat had resorted to destroying furniture in its frantic search for sustenance. Due to the dire circumstances, the Scottish SPCA officers had to feed Albus through a letterbox after gaining entry into the flat. Upon inspection, they discovered a deplorable environment filled with household debris, faeces, and urine, indicating neglect and abandonment.

When rescued, Albus was found to be extremely hungry, described as “absolutely ravenous” by the inspectors. The cat’s obsession with food persisted even after being placed in a new home, highlighting the severity of its deprivation. McCrindle admitted to abandoning the animal during the period in question, and further investigation revealed that her flat was cluttered with unopened mail dating back to April 7, 2016.

Kevin Corrins, the fiscal representing the case, explained that when Scottish SPCA and council officers entered McCrindle’s residence, they observed a significant accumulation of unopened correspondence. He noted that during the ten days Albus was in the care of the SSPCA, the cat consumed a substantial amount of food—about 1 kilogram more than its usual weight—indicating the extent of its hunger.

It was also revealed that McCrindle contacted her landlord, Moray Council, on April 25 to obtain keys for new locks at her property, suggesting she was aware of her neglectful actions. Her defence solicitor, Brent Lockie, stated that her behaviour was influenced by mental health issues stemming from her parents’ divorce at the time. Lockie explained, “She simply was not well at the time but is a lot better now. She wouldn’t have acted in this manner if it were not for the underlying issues. She took over the cat from someone who could not cope with it and got herself in this position.”

Scottish SPCA inspector Alison Simpson emphasized the importance of accountability, saying, “We hope this sends out a significant message that it is totally unacceptable to leave animals unattended without consequences. This cat was lucky that a concerned member of the public alerted us to the situation.”

In court, McCrindle was fined £320 and received a two-year ban from owning animals, which expired in 2019. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of animal welfare organizations to combat neglect and ensure responsible pet ownership in Elgin and beyond.