ROBERT CLARK OF PAISLEY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO ELDERLY BORDER COLLIE JESS
In a case that has shocked animal welfare advocates and residents of Paisley, Robert Clark, a man born around 1961 and residing at Canal Terrace, was found guilty of severe animal cruelty involving his elderly pet dog, Jess.The incident, which took place in May 2019, revealed a heartbreaking neglect that ultimately led to the dog's euthanasia.
Clark’s failure to seek immediate veterinary care for Jess, who was severely injured after being hit by a car, resulted in a lengthy legal process culminating in his conviction in 2022.
The court heard that Clark had left Jess in a state of extreme pain with a broken leg, neglecting her injuries for days despite her suffering.
Procurator fiscal Martine McGuigan presented compelling evidence, including photographs of Jess showing her deformed front leg, which was the result of a collision that occurred on May 15, 2019.
The court was told that the SSPCA received an anonymous tip-off on that day, alerting authorities to Jess’s condition.
Inspector Dick from the SSPCA responded to the call and contacted Clark by phone, during which Clark claimed that Jess’s injuries were the result of a road traffic accident and that he was treating her himself.
Inspector Dick visited Clark’s residence in Paisley the following day, May 16, to follow up on the report.
During the visit, Jess was brought outside, and it was immediately evident that she was in significant distress.
Her front leg was twisted, swollen, and warm to the touch, and she was visibly yelping in pain.
The inspector noted that Jess was not bearing weight on her injured leg, and her condition was dire.
Clark admitted to having bandaged Jess’s leg and stated that she had been like that for several days.
Despite Clark’s claims of self-treatment, the inspector insisted that Jess needed urgent veterinary attention.
The dog was taken to a veterinarian, who confirmed that she had a broken bone in her front leg, specifically in the carpus, which is comparable to a wrist joint.
The vet’s examination revealed that Jess was underweight at just 15kg, with a deformed and swollen wrist joint, osteoarthritis, and poor overall health.
The veterinarian administered pain relief and sedated Jess to ease her suffering.
Further examination uncovered numerous matted areas in Jess’s coat, which, once clipped, revealed her neglected condition.
Over the subsequent days, veterinary staff struggled to make Jess comfortable, but her injuries and overall health deteriorated.
Despite their efforts, they concluded that her quality of life could not be restored.
On May 18, Jess was euthanised on welfare grounds, with the veterinary report emphasizing the importance of prompt veterinary care following any road traffic accident, regardless of apparent injuries.
During the court proceedings, Clark expressed remorse, stating, “I wish I reacted a bit quicker.
I’d rather she passed away here.
I knew she was sore.” His defence lawyer, Jim Clarke, described the situation as a “great tragedy” and explained that Clark, being nearly 60 years old, could not afford the veterinary treatment at the time.
The lawyer also highlighted Clark’s profound sadness over Jess’s death and his previous conviction for animal cruelty, though he emphasized that Clark had no intention of owning pets again.
Sheriff Lindsay Kooner acknowledged the emotional distress caused by the case and noted Clark’s apparent remorse.
However, due to his prior conviction and the severity of the neglect, the sheriff deemed it necessary to impose a significant penalty.
Clark was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody and was disqualified from owning any animals for ten years, a ban that will expire in January 2032.
This case underscores the critical importance of responsible pet ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect, especially towards vulnerable animals like Jess, who relied entirely on her owner for care and protection.
