DOUGLAS DUNCAN FROM ABERLOUR SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL NEGLECT IN 2025

Douglas Duncan, born circa 1961 and residing at Nether Knockans Farm, Knockando, Aberlour AB38 7SF, was convicted in 2025 for neglecting his cows, leading to the deaths of two animals.

Duncan admitted to failing to provide adequate food and veterinary care, which resulted in his cows losing body condition and wasting muscle, ultimately causing two of them to die.

He pleaded guilty on 13 March 2024 and was sentenced at Elgin Sheriff Court on Thursday, 20 February 2025.

Regarding the Scottish SPCA’s investigation, Inspector Crockett explained: “We received a report from a witness that there were three cows in a barn stuck in the muck and unable to get up for several months at a farm in Knockando rented by Douglas Duncan.

“The witness further reported that the cows had been moved to the back of the barn, where they were still alive and lying down—two together and one further back.

“There was a plastic bucket filled with oats, but the cows couldn’t reach it as they couldn’t stand.

“We attended the property to view these cattle, which we knew were behind a stone shed. The sight that greeted us was shocking—three emaciated young Shorthorn-type heifers, with all their bones visible and stretched skin.

“Duncan claimed he moved them out of the barn the day before, using a bucket on his tractor because they couldn’t stand. He stated they had been down for ten days.

“The cows were covered in dried muck; one was already dead. The heifers couldn’t stand, and the ground beneath them was flattened from where they had been lying. Buckets of barley and water were in front of them, but they were unable to reach them.

“We immediately called a vet, who examined all three heifers and found their condition to be dangerously close to being non-survivable.

“It was agreed that one cow would be euthanised, and treatment would be administered to the second. If there was no improvement within 48 hours, she too would be euthanised.

“We are extremely disappointed that Mr Duncan has only received unpaid work for this case, as we believe it does not adequately reflect the suffering these cows endured over several months.

“We hope he will take greater care in the future to ensure any animal he owns receives proper husbandry and veterinary care,” added Inspector Crockett.

Duncan was sentenced to 240 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within 12 months.

This case was handled by the Scottish SPCA.