ROSE INNES FROM CUMBERNAULD FACES BAN AFTER CRUELTY TO DOGS

In a distressing case that has shocked the local community in Cumbernauld, Rose Galbraith Innes, born in 1970 and residing on Millcroft Road, was found guilty of neglecting her two dogs, leading to severe suffering and malnutrition. The incident drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities and the public alike.

According to reports, Innes’s two dogs, a tri-colour spaniel named Toby, aged 7, and an 11-year-old crossbreed called Scamp, were discovered in a deplorable state. The animals were severely undernourished, with their ribs and bones prominently protruding, indicating a prolonged period of neglect. The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) conducted an investigation into the matter after concerns were raised by a vigilant member of the public in December 2017.

The Scottish SPCA’s inspector Emma Sergeant detailed the investigation process, revealing that initial attempts to access Innes’s property were thwarted. “After we opened our investigation, we tried our best to work with the accused but were denied entry to her house,” she explained. Eventually, Innes agreed to take Toby and Scamp to a veterinary clinic for assessment. The veterinary examination confirmed the worst fears, with both dogs receiving a body condition score of just 2 out of 9. Their hips, bones, and spines were clearly visible, underscoring the severity of their malnutrition.

Following the veterinary assessment, Innes was provided with explicit feeding advice. However, she failed to attend a scheduled follow-up appointment later that month, prompting the Scottish SPCA to secure a warrant to remove the animals from her care. At the time of their rescue, both dogs were found to be in a critically malnourished state, underweight, and suffering from neglect.

After their removal, Toby and Scamp were taken to the SSPCA’s animal rescue and rehoming centre in Lanarkshire. While Toby responded well to treatment and has since made a full recovery, Scamp’s health deteriorated further. In October, Scamp developed lameness in his right hind limb. Diagnostic scans revealed a tumour and malignant bone cancer that had metastasized, leading to the heartbreaking decision to euthanize him. SSPCA staff emphasized that Scamp’s death was unlikely to be directly related to his physical condition, but the suffering caused by neglect was undeniable.

Innes faced legal consequences for her actions. She was handed a five-year ban on keeping animals, a sentence that expired in December 2023. The case has sparked ongoing discussions about animal welfare and the importance of responsible pet ownership within the Cumbernauld community and beyond.