CONVICTED (2016) | Steven Edward Ferguson, born 28/04/1985, of Thrushcraig Crescent, Paisley PA2 6PR – left a puppy to suffer with (unexplained) broken legs for nine months Ferguson pleaded guilty to mistreating one-year-old Staffy border collie cross Keira between January and September 2012. Ferguson took the pup to see a PDSA vet, who confirmed she had a broken femur. But he never took the dog for any further medical treatment and when she was examined nine months later she was found to have a number of other hind leg fractures. Tragic puppy Kiera suffered two broken legs while in the care of Steven Ferguson but was never seen by a vet The dog was then taken to a vet to be examined and was deemed to be in such a poor state of health she had to be put to sleep. Paisley Sheriff Court heard Keira had escaped from Ferguson’s clutches and was found wandering the streets on September 16, 2012. The Scottish SPCA were called after Keira was spotted struggling to walk and an SSPCA Inspector went to investigate. Procurator fiscal depute Joanne Gilmour, prosecuting, explained: ““The dog was in obvious distress and pain. It was taken to a vet to be examined and x-rays were carried out. “It was noted the dog had fractures in both hind legs. “This would have caused severe pain and for some weeks after they had been sustained. “In the vet’s opinion the dog had suffered unnecessarily through a lack of proper veterinary attention on more than one occasion. “Due to the extent of the injuries the dog had to be euthanised.” As Keira had run away from Ferguson’s home the authorities did not know he was her owner and it was a further month, following a campaign to track him down, that he was detained over the incident. He admitted “failing to provide adequate treatment for multiple fractures to the rear legs of said dog”. Ferguson could have been jailed for up to a year for neglecting Keira so badly but Sheriff Susan Sinclair opted to spare him a spell behind bars and he left the building as a free man. Sentence: 12-month Community Payback Order with 200 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expired April 2021). The Gazette Scottish SPCA