TRACY SCOUGALL FROM PITMEDDEN SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOGS IN ABERDEEN

In a case that has shocked the local community of Pitmedden and the surrounding areas, Tracy Jane Scougall, also known as Tracy Penny, faced justice at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for her involvement in the tragic neglect and death of her pet dog. Born on February 26, 1980, Scougall's address at the time of the incident was 13 Bonnyton Road, Pitmedden, Ellon, with the postal code AB41 7QA.

Scougall, a single mother, was found guilty of failing to provide basic necessities such as adequate food and water to her Staffordshire bull terrier, Buffy. The dog, which was only eight years old, was discovered deceased in a garden shed in Pitmedden in 2011, with the body having been dead for approximately three days before the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) officers uncovered the grim scene.

The court heard that Buffy had been starved to death, a heartbreaking case of neglect that drew widespread condemnation. In addition to this, Scougall faced accusations of keeping another dog, a Labrador named Shadow, confined within a hallway cupboard without sufficient access to food or water. However, she was not convicted on charges related to Shadow.

Sheriff Philip Hammond, presiding over the case, described the images of Buffy’s emaciated body as “distressing and appalling,” emphasizing the severity of the neglect. The court's decision reflected the gravity of the cruelty inflicted upon the animal.

Following the case, Scottish SPCA Chief Inspector John Carle expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We are delighted Scougall has received a life ban on keeping dogs. However, we believe that this was a case of gross neglect and therefore we would have welcomed an outright ban on keeping animals. In our opinion, Scougall has demonstrated that she is unfit to provide any animal with even the most basic level of care.”

As part of her sentencing, Tracy Scougall was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service and was permanently prohibited from owning or caring for any animals. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect in the Pitmedden community and beyond.