Man who starved bulldog to death after failing to breed her spared jail

A man who starved his pet dog to death after failing to breed her in a "horrific" case of animal neglect has been spared jail.

Andrew McLaughlin was blasted by a sheriff today, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, for his treatment of bulldog Luna, after getting her so she could have pups.

When he failed in a bid to get her pregnant, he contacted a vet and asked about getting her put down.

He then failed to look after her for nearly two months, starving her so badly she died, with her ribs, hips and spine visible. 

She had no fat or muscle on her body and weighed just 10.5kg when she passed away - when she should have been 23kg.

But a sheriff said he was unable to jail McLaughlin over the crime as there was an alternative sentence available.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard McLaughlin took the five-year-old pooch's body to the Small Animal Hospital in Glasgow after she had died.

She was examined by vets, who discovered the full extent of the neglect McLaughlin was responsible for.

The 40-year-old, of Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, was prosecuted over his mistreatment of the animal.

He admitted having failed to care for her properly between October 8, 2024, and November 26, 2024 - the day he handed her into the hospital.

He pleaded guilty to causing Luna unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate food and water, failing to seek the veterinary attention she needed, and starving her to death.

He admitted his guilt previously and returned to the dock at Greenock Sheriff Court today to be sentenced.

Defence solicitor Aidan Gallagher said: "He has clearly failed to properly look after the animal."

He said McLaughlin had been assessed by social workers as being suitable for a non-custodial sentence and would comply with such a punishment.

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan said: "You appear before the court having pleaded guilty to a serious charge.

"In short, for six weeks you caused your bulldog, Luna, unnecessary suffering by failing to provide her adequate food and water and failing to provide any veterinary assistance.

"As a result of your actions she not only suffered unnecessary pain, she was actually starved to death.

"This case can be described as horrific. You minimised, diminished and attempted to justify your actions.

"You said you purchased Luna with the purpose of breeding her and when you couldn't you contacted the vet for advice on euthanising Luna.

"Your claim that you apparently love Luna is given lie to by the actual evidence of your actions. 

"I'm satisfied that the custody threshold has been met and is available to me today.

"However, the law is that a custodial sentence can only be imposed if no other method of dealing with you is appropriate.

"The social worker who compiled the Criminal Justice Social Work [background] Report assessed you as suitable for a community based disposal."

He placed McLaughlin on a 12-month-long Community Payback Order, which will see him supervised by social workers.

He also made him the subject of a 46-week-long Restriction of Liberty Order, which will see him fitted with an electronic tag.

He has to remain within the home he shares with his mother between 7pm and 7am for the 46 weeks, with the sentence reduced from 52 weeks as he admitted his guilt.

He was also banned from owning or keeping dogs for life and warned he could be jailed if he breaches the court orders.