WILLIAM DUGUID ABERDEEN DOG ABUSE CASE SHOCKS COMMUNITY

William Duguid, a resident of Tullos Circle in Aberdeen, has been convicted of a disturbing case of animal cruelty that has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about animal welfare and illegal dog ownership in the area.

The incident occurred in May 2016, when a concerned neighbor witnessed Duguid in a pub car park in Aberdeen engaging in violent behavior towards his pet dog. The dog, a pitbull terrier, was seen being subjected to physical abuse by Duguid, who was reportedly under the influence of drugs at the time. The neighbor observed Duguid hitting the dog with a chain and repeatedly kicking it, actions that prompted her to intervene and tell him to stop. Despite her warning, Duguid continued his assault on the animal.

What made this case particularly alarming was the breed of the dog involved. The pitbull terrier is classified as an illegal breed to keep within the United Kingdom, due to its potential for aggression and the risks it poses to public safety. The dog had previously bitten a member of the public, which contributed to the authorities' concern about its ownership and the safety of others in the community.

Following the incident, the police reviewed CCTV footage that clearly showed Duguid making kicking motions towards the dog, confirming the neighbor’s account. The footage was instrumental in building the case against him. Duguid, who has a history of legal troubles, appeared before Aberdeen Sheriff Court in June 2017 to face charges related to the incident.

During the court proceedings, Duguid admitted to possessing a dangerous dog and causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. The prosecution, led by fiscal depute Colin Neilson, detailed the events, emphasizing the cruelty inflicted upon the dog. Neilson stated, “A woman looked out of her window and saw the accused with a dog. He seemed to be hitting the dog with a chain. She told him to stop. He was disagreeable to this. He was also seen repeatedly kicking the dog to the body. She contacted police. CCTV footage was seen which showed him making a kicking motion towards the dog.”

In his defense, Duguid’s legal representative, Ian McGregor, explained that Duguid was somewhat hazy about the events due to the influence of substances he had taken that day. McGregor also noted that Duguid had owned the dog for nine years without previous incidents and had always taken the animal to the vet when necessary. He suggested that Duguid’s reaction was a response to an earlier incident where the dog had bitten a member of the public, which occurred approximately ten minutes before the abuse.

Despite these explanations, Sheriff Graham Buchanan was clear in his judgment. He ordered the destruction of the dog, citing the breed’s illegal status in the UK. The court also imposed a fine of £750 on Duguid and banned him from keeping animals for five years, a ban that expired in June 2022. The case has sparked outrage among animal rights advocates and residents of Aberdeen, highlighting ongoing concerns about illegal dog ownership and animal cruelty in the area.