DAVID AIRD FROM TRANENT CONVICTED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY INVOLVING FATAL BEATING OF DOG

David Aird, born on December 8, 1991, and residing in Tranent, East Lothian, was found guilty in 2021 of causing unnecessary suffering to a small dog, Archie, a cross between a Chihuahua and a Jack Russell. The incident, which resulted in the animal's death, took place at Aird's home in Tranent on February 3, 2021.

Archie, the tiny dog, suffered a severe and fatal brain injury after being struck by Aird, who was employed as a care home worker. Aird admitted to hitting the dog with his hand, an act that led to a catastrophic hemorrhage within the cranial cavity. The court heard that the blow caused extensive bleeding and brain compression, ultimately leading to the animal's death.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution, represented by fiscal depute Deborah King, detailed the findings of a postmortem examination. The report revealed that Archie had sustained a significant trauma to the top of his skull, likely from a single forceful blow. The nature of the injury was described as potentially fatal in a very short period. The postmortem analysis suggested that the injury could have been inflicted by a blunt object such as a stick or hammer, or alternatively, by a punch or kick. It also considered the possibility that the injury resulted from falling onto a hard surface from a height.

Ms. King explained that the force involved in fracturing the skull might have caused the dog to lose consciousness immediately, although this was not definitively established. She added that Archie could have been in pain until he became unconscious. The court was informed that Aird was charged following the postmortem findings, which confirmed the severity of the injury.

In court, Aird, who chose to represent himself, acknowledged his occupation as a care home worker. When asked by Sheriff Peter McCormack whether he had any objections to being banned from owning pets, Aird responded simply, “No.”

As a result of his conviction, Aird was fined £420 and received a ban from owning or keeping any animals for a period of 20 years.

Further repercussions included a suspension order issued by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) in June 2022. The SSSC stated that social service workers must uphold high standards of conduct both in and outside of work. They emphasized that Aird’s actions—striking his pet dog with his hand, leading to its death—demonstrated a loss of self-control and a disregard for animal safety, which is incompatible with the values expected of social care professionals.

The SSSC highlighted that such violent behavior damages public trust in social service workers and is indicative of problematic attitudes that are difficult to remediate. Consequently, they imposed a six-month suspension on Aird’s registration, considering this an isolated incident for which he expressed remorse. The council noted that there were no prior findings of violent or offending behavior against Aird and that he had shown insight and reflection on his actions.

Aside from his criminal and professional consequences, Aird is known to describe himself as an “ex singer-songwriter.” Despite his past, he continues to perform at open mic venues and shares his musical performances on social media platforms, particularly on his Facebook page named Nakee-Dave Music.