A man who kept his pets in a filthy, fly-infested property has been banned from keeping ferrets and snakes for five years.
William Scott, 61, found himself on the pier after an investigation by the Scottish SPCA.
The animal welfare charity said it was alerted in August 2022 that Scott's home in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, was in a state of decomposition.
Environmental health officers reported a “strong unpleasant odor” emanating from the property and “an infestation of flies” around the door of the house.
A shed in a communal garden was found in poor condition and a police officer reported that the ferret inside was “shaking”.
The Scottish SPCA also attended on the same day and discovered the pet was “unwell”.
A charity inspector said: “There were two water bottles, both of which were empty. There was also a food bowl containing old, congealed and soggy food, clearly not fit for consumption.” Ta.
The ferret was immediately taken to the vet and was found to be emaciated and extremely dehydrated.
The animal remained under veterinary care for 48 hours and received hydration and rehydration therapy before being transferred to a Scottish SPCA center for recovery.
The situation inside Ms Scott's home was also a cause for “immediate concern”.
A Scottish SPCA inspector said: 'There was a significant build-up of rubbish, household items and dirt throughout.
“There was clearly a strong unpleasant odor and flies were swarming around the property.”
Four polecat ferrets were recovered from the living room along with a female dwarf hog island boa constrictor snake.
The inspector said: “There was a lot of skin that had fallen off, and a lot of feces and urine.
“There was no water and the snake itself appeared lethargic and thin.”
The snake was given antibiotics and taken to a Scottish SPCA center for further treatment.
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Last month at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Scott was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a pet by failing to provide a suitable safe and clean environment for the pet.
He was banned from keeping ferrets and snakes for five years, and was also fined £400 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.
