KEVIN MCENTEE'S CRUELTY IN GREENOCK: DOG LEFT IN AGONIZING PAIN AND NEGLECTED

Kevin McEntee, a resident of Kestrel Crescent in Greenock, has been found guilty of neglecting his pet dog, Frankie, a seven-year-old Lhasa Apso, in a case that has drawn significant attention from animal welfare authorities. Despite the severity of the neglect, McEntee was only subjected to a minimal punishment, receiving a small fine and a temporary ban on owning animals.

McEntee admitted to a charge that was amended to reflect his failure to provide necessary veterinary care and grooming for Frankie. The dog was suffering from severe matting, which had led to multiple health issues including an eye infection, moist dermatitis, and a secondary bacterial skin infection. The neglect was so profound that Frankie was found making constant whining noises, clearly in pain, before ultimately being euthanised due to his suffering.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) inspector Isla Bell detailed the investigation, revealing that on August 26, 2020, the SSPCA received a complaint about dog neglect involving Kevin McEntee. Despite multiple attempts—ten in total—by inspectors to locate and assess Frankie, they were only able to meet McEntee at his residence on September 10, 2020. When they finally arrived, they found Frankie in a dire state. His fur was heavily matted on his head and legs, and he was wearing a buster collar, typically used after surgery to prevent licking of stitches. The areas of his body that were not matted were bald, with skin visibly red and inflamed. His eyes were obscured by the thick mats on his head, making it impossible to see them clearly.

During questioning, McEntee claimed that he had only owned Frankie for two weeks, having received him from a family friend who had been caring for the dog. However, he was unable to provide any details or the name of this individual, raising further concerns about his knowledge of the dog's history and condition.

Frankie was visibly distressed, exhibiting frantic attempts to scratch his head beneath and over the buster collar. His constant whining and crying out in pain indicated the severe discomfort he was experiencing. The mental and physical frustration caused by the severe skin condition and the restrictive collar would have been overwhelming for the dog.

Following the inspection, McEntee agreed to relinquish ownership of Frankie, who was then taken into the care of the SSPCA. The dog was immediately transported to one of their animal rescue and rehoming centres for urgent veterinary intervention. The veterinary team performed a full general anaesthetic procedure to shave and treat Frankie’s entire body, removing the extensive mats that had caused multiple skin infections. The treatment revealed that the mats had led to moist dermatitis and secondary infections across his back, face, limbs, and feet. Particularly concerning were the inflamed feet, where faeces had become embedded in the mats, causing bacterial infections underneath.

Despite receiving veterinary care, Frankie continued to suffer from extreme itchiness, which the vet suspected was due to an allergic skin condition with no known cure. Due to the severity of his self-harm from scratching and the ongoing pain, a heartbreaking decision was made to euthanise Frankie, sparing him further suffering.

Veterinary professionals emphasized that Frankie’s condition could have been easily prevented through regular grooming and care. The early signs of discomfort and behavioral changes would have been apparent to any reasonable observer, and prompt veterinary treatment could have mitigated much of his suffering. The case underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect.

In court, Kevin McEntee was sentenced to a £315 fine, accompanied by a £20 victim surcharge. Additionally, he received a three-year ban on owning animals, which will remain in effect until March 2026. Animal welfare advocates expressed their disappointment with the leniency of the punishment, highlighting that such neglect does not happen overnight and could have been easily avoided with proper care. The case from Greenock serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the need for stricter sentencing to deter future cases of neglect.