A MAN who neglected his pet dog so badly that it had to be put down has been handed a lifetime ban from keeping animals.

William Shedden’s mistreatment of his Staffordshire bull terrier, named Rocky, at his home in Maybole came to light on February 23 last year.

The 59-year-old was handed the ban when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court for sentencing last week after pleading guilty to causing the animal unnecessary suffering at his then home address in the town’s Whitefaulds Crescent.

Shedden admitted failing to provide adequate food for Rocky, failing to investigate abnormal behaviour patterns, failing to notice the dog was unwell and failing to seek adequate vet care.

The procurator fiscal depute told the court: “On the date libelled police attended. A dog appeared and the dog bowl was empty. They noticed red streaks of blood on the [dog’s] nostrils.

“Officers noticed the dog appeared agitated then urinated on the sofa.

“The dog appeared uncomfortable when the accused was dealing with him. On touching his face they noted the dog shivering.”

The court was told that investigations discovered swelling to Rocky’s face and trauma to the dog’s head.

The dog was in such a poor condition that animal welfare experts decided the most humane option was to have it put down.

Shedden’s solicitor told the court his client was serving a two-year jail term in HMP Kilmarnock for unrelated matters and was due for release later this year.

The lawyer said: “He is assessed has having mild learning disabilities and has constant social work involvement.”

He added his client got the dog during the Covid lockdown and that social workers had thought having a pet “might be of some benefit”.

Sheriff Shirley Foran deferred sentence for background reports but in the meantime imposed a lifetime ban on Shedden owning or caring for any animal.