A gamekeeper who inspired dogs to combat wild animals and filmed them for TikTok has been handed a five-year-ban on proudly owning or conserving animals.
Ryan Martin from Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire was convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on December 5.
The 23-year-old was discovered responsible of inflicting pointless struggling to a few dogs below his care and conserving or coaching dogs for the needs of animal fights.
As properly because the animal ban, he was ordered to hold out 175 hours of group service.
The Scottish SPCA’s particular investigations unit, with assist from Police Scotland, executed a warrant at Martin’s deal with in Laurencekirk on February 10 2022, after receiving data that he was utilizing his dogs to combat and bait wild animals.
Martin shared quite a few movies, that includes his severely injured dogs killing foxes and badgers on Snapchat and TikTok. Throughout the clips, Martin may be heard encouraging the dogs to attack.
The three dogs, Storm, Beau and Boss, had been taken to be examined by a vet. It was confirmed that their facial accidents had been in line with animal combating which might have prompted them ache and struggling.
Items seized from Martin’s deal with examined optimistic for badger DNA in addition to fox and deer DNA, confirming his involvement in animal combating.
A particular investigations officer stated: “The degree of cruelty Martin inflicted on each wild animals and his personal dogs undoubtedly prompted extreme bodily and psychological ache and struggling.
“Our particular investigations unit leads the best way in the case of taking over these brutal teams concerned in animal fights. This was an extremely refined investigation which confirmed the accused was responsible.
“No animal deserves to be injured or killed within the title of sport, or left to die a sluggish painful loss of life.
“Without a custodial sentence, our worry is that Martin, and others who’re concerned in animal combating, gained’t cease offending.
“We investigate hundreds of reports of serious animal welfare issues such as animal fighting every year. Anyone with concerns or information on this issue can contact our free animal helpline in confidence on 03000 999 999.”
STV News is now on WhatsApp
Get all of the latest information from across the nation
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code in your cellular system for all of the latest information from across the nation
