CONVICTED (2021) | former breeder Kenneth Joseph Martin, born 15 March 1967, previously of Muirkirk Road, Cumnock and as of August 2021 of John Weir Avenue, Cumnock KA18 1NJ – abandoned a property, leaving three dogs behind to starve. Former breeder Kenny Martin starved his dogs so badly that one died and was eaten as she lay dead in a garden. He neglected his two Dogue de Bordeaux breeds and a Japanese Akita over several weeks. The court heard that a Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) investigator found the property covered in dog mess. The animals were so thin and dehydrated that they would have died had the charity not arrived when it did. The details of the horror discovery emerged when Martin, who previously pleaded guilty to three animal welfare charges, returned to the dock to be sentenced. Prosecutor Rosalind Walsh told the court that the SSPCA had been called due to a report of “a dead dog being seen in the garden”. She said: “There was a deceased female Dogue de Bordeaux which appeared to have been partly eaten. “There was an emaciated dog of the same breed. “Once inside the property, investigators found a third dog, a female Japanese Akita, which was also in an emaciated state.” The animals were examined by a vet who found they had “no body fat reserves”, were “severely dehydrated” and had “muscle wastage”. The living Dogue de Bordeaux had “infected sores on its body, possibly producing a rotting smell”, while the Akita was displaying signs of “repetitive behaviour” – an indication it was suffering from “ammonia inhalation or confinement stress”. Walsh added: “They endured unnecessary suffering and were at risk of dying if not for the intervention of the SSPCA.” Martin was not at the property but investigators located his sister, who told them he had abandoned the address. Solicitor Tony Curry said Martin had raised the animals, who have since been rehomed, from pups. But he said his client had endured “a personal crisis” which led to “a rapid decline”. He added: “He was not looking after himself and was in absolutely no condition to be looking after animals.” Sheriff Colin Pettigrew said it was “a fairly sad and sorry story” which had come about due to Martin’s “personal difficulties – health and otherwise”. Sentencing: fined £2,075. Banned from keeping dogs for life. Daily Record