Courts in Moray: Five-year ban for dead Alsatian's owner
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A young woman has been banned from keeping any type of animal for the next five years following the death of her Alsatian.
The SSPCA stated it had seldom seen a dog as thin as Berlin, who belonged to Natalia Piszczyk.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that the defendant had only recently turned 19 at the time of the offence.
On November 15, 2021, she rang a veterinary surgery to say her dog had died, and asked for him to be picked up and cremated.
Two people went round the next day to Piszczyk's home at Carnie Place, Buckie.
She opened the door and they saw that Berlin had been placed on a duvet in the front porch.
The court was told that the property was strewn with rubbish, with some items of litter, including a cigarette packet, next to and underneath the dog.
The black and tan Alsatian was described as being emaciated with sunken eye sockets.
A SSPCA post mortem on November 17 stated the dog had pneumonia and had probably died from breathing problems.
It also revealed Merlin weighed only 18kg (2st 11 lbs). The usual weight for a male Alsatian is between 30 and 40kg.
Defence solicitor Martin O'Neill said his young client had been homeless before she and Merlin came to live at Carnie Place.
He added: "At the time she wasn't really capable of looking after herself, let alone anybody or anything else.
"She did have some concerns for the dog, but as he was still taking water, going for walks and playing, she thought he was just experiencing some temporary difficulties.
"Her regret had been quite clear. She's also not someone who's going to be coming before the court for some other matter.
"This is something that will stay with her for the rest of her days."
Piszczyk, who's now aged 20, pleaded guilty to a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Talking directly to her, Sheriff Robert McDonald said: "Despite your inexperience it should have been obvious that your dog needed to go to a vet long before it died.
"Although you're a first time offender I have to take into account the seriousness of the offence, as well as the seriousness with which society regards it."
In addition to the five-year ban on owning any animal, Piszczyk was ordered to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work for the community.
She was also placed under the court's supervision for the next six months.
