An animal welfare charity says it is ‘disappointed’ that a teenager received a light sentence for mistreating two dogs.

The Scottish SPCA said its officers repeatedly attended the home of 19-year-old Patrick-Michael McCluskey in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, between October 2017 and May 2022 and removed several dogs and cats from his care during that period.

Inspector Jack Marshall said McCluskey was given advice and support on how to look after his pets, but conditions at the property continued to deteriorate.

A warning was issued in May 2021.

In September 2022, Police Scotland were called to attend on an unrelated matter and alerted the Scottish SPCA to the concerning conditions at the property.

Inspector Marshall said the charity obtained a warrant and found the home to be full of household waste, clutter and animal faeces.

He added: “There were two one-year-old dogs at the property, a poodle-type dog named Lady and a husky named Lola.

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“Due to concerns for their welfare, they were immediately removed from the address and taken for veterinary examination.”

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McCluskey appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week and pleaded guilty to failing to provide a clean and safe environment for Lady and Lola.

He was admonished – which will appear as a conviction on his criminal record – but no other penalty was given.

A not guilty plea was accepted for his mother, 59-year-old Sylvia Claire McCluskey.

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Inspector Marshall said: “It’s disappointing that this case has only resulted in an admonishment as any responsible owner would have been able to see that the conditions within the property were far from suitable for any person, let alone an animal, to have to endure.”

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