ELGIN WOMAN SAMANTHA LITTLE SENTENCED FOR STARVING AND POISONING DOG IN ELGIN

Samantha Little, a resident of Elgin, was convicted of a cruel and neglectful act involving her pet dog, a crossbreed named Hamish. Born on August 2, 1993, Little’s address was listed as Leuchars Drive, Elgin IV30 4AU. The case drew significant attention after authorities uncovered the tragic circumstances surrounding Hamish’s death.

According to reports, Little allowed her dog to suffer from severe neglect, ultimately leading to his death by starvation. The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA) responded to a welfare concern at Little’s home, where they discovered Hamish’s remains in a deplorable state. The dog was found among piles of feces, emaciated and in a state of advanced decomposition. The scene was distressing, with no food or water available for the animal, and empty, chewed packets of ibuprofen scattered in the kitchen area.

Veterinary examination of Hamish’s remains revealed the extent of his suffering. The post-mortem report indicated that rigor mortis had already dissipated, and decomposition was beginning to set in. The cause of death was determined to be a combination of starvation and ibuprofen poisoning. The vet noted that Hamish had experienced severe muscle wasting, with his limbs and trunk showing significant loss of muscle mass. His eyes appeared milky white and were completely sunken, signs consistent with prolonged neglect and dehydration. Interestingly, the vet found no dental issues that could have prevented the dog from eating, but ulcerations in his stomach suggested he had ingested ibuprofen, which contributed to his demise.

Further investigation revealed that Little had been in possession of the dog during the period leading up to his death. When questioned by police in April 2014, she admitted to the charges against her. Her solicitor, Stephen Carty, explained that Little and her former partner had jointly cared for Hamish until their relationship ended. Carty stated, “Her family situation at the time was very difficult, but she accepts she did not care for the animal. She did make efforts to rectify the situation by calling her support worker, but that was all rather late in the day.”

In court, the judge sentenced Little to 100 hours of community service. Additionally, she was banned from owning any animals for a period of ten years, a ban that will expire in February 2025. The case highlights the tragic consequences of neglect and the importance of animal welfare laws in protecting vulnerable creatures in the community of Elgin.