CONVICTED (2022) | serial animal abuser Robert Clark, born c. 1961, of Canal Terrace, Paisley PA1 2HS – left his elderly pet dog in extreme pain with a broken leg. Cruel Robert Clark was banned from owning animals for ten years after failing to get veterinary help for his badly injured “companion”, an elderly border collie named Jess. He has a previous conviction for animal cruelty. Procurator fiscal Martine McGuigan showed pictures of Jess with a deformed front leg, which was as a result of a collision in May 2019. Ms McGuigan told the court: “On May 15, 2019, Inspector Dick of the SSPCA received a call on the animal welfare line. Jess was left without veterinary treatment after being hit by a car. She was eventually euthanised on welfare grounds after being found in agony with a deformed leg. “The anonymous caller stated that the dog’s paw was sitting at a strange angle and unable to bear any weight. “Inspector Dick was able to speak with the accused on the phone who stated the dog had been involved in a road traffic accident and had an injured leg that he was treating himself. “The SSPCA inspector told the accused he must seek veterinary attention and provided Clark with details of practices in Paisley. “On May 16, Inspector Dick attended at the property as a follow-up to the call. “The inspector spoke to the accused and the dog was brought to her. “It was immediately apparent the dog was not weight bearing in her front leg, her paw was twisted, swollen and warm to touch and there was a clear sense of discomfort and yelping during the examination. “It was clear the dog was in extreme pain.” The court heard the SSPCA inspector “expressed concern” to Clark about Jess. It also emerged that the road traffic accident was seven days prior to the SSPCA being anonymously notified. Ms McGuigan continued: “The accused stated he had bandaged the dog’s leg and it had been like that a number of days. “The accused was advised that Jess would be removed and the matter reported to the procurator fiscal. “Jess was seen by a vet and it was concluded she had a broken bone in her front leg, she was 15kg and described as ‘very thin.’ “The carpus bones, which are the equivalent of a wrist joint in her leg was deformed and swollen and the X-rays showed she had osteoarthritis. “The dog was given pain relief and then sedated. “Numerous thick matts were found in her coat and once clipped away it made clearer the poor condition of the dog. “Over the next couple of days the vets were unable to make Jess comfortable. “They were unable to restore her quality of life and on May 18, she was euthanised on welfare grounds. “The veterinary report stated that it is imperative for any dog involved in a road traffic accident to receive vet attention without delay, even if it appears not to have any injuries – which was not the case. “The accused was interviewed where he stated ‘I wish I reacted a bit quicker. I’d rather she passed away here. I knew she was sore.’ “The vet report stated that the dates liable were due to the osteoarthritis and the dog’s condition.” Defence agent Jim Clarke told the court it was a “great tragedy” that Clark couldn’t afford veterinary attention at the time for Jess. Mr Clarke said: “Robert Clark is very much saddened by the loss of Jess. “In the social work report available to the court he states ‘I wish I could have done more.’ “He is profoundly saddened by what happened to Jess. “He does have an analogous previous conviction, but being almost 60 years of age, he has no intention of owning a pet again.” Sheriff Lindsay Kooner said: “No one could fail to be distressed by what the procurator fiscal indicated. “I can see from your demeanour you accept your responsibility. “I accept you’ve indicated your profound regret ad sadness at the loss of your companion of 14 years. “Your previous conviction concerns me and so I find a disqualification is necessary in this case.” Sentencing: 150 hours of unpaid work as a “direct alternative to custody”. Disqualified from owning any animal for ten years (expires January 2032). Daily Record