Catherine Ann Stewart has been banned from keeping animals for 18 months after leaving her pets without food or water while she went on holiday to Blackpool. The Scottish SPCA was forced to break into her Glasgow home to rescue the animals.
Pets found in distress
Stewart left several animals inside her home without access to food or water while she was away. Among them was a nine-week-old kitten called Blade, who had been trapped in a bedroom without food, water or a litter tray.
An elderly dog named Tasha was also found in distress. Vets later found she had been suffering from a painful condition for at least two to three months. The Scottish SPCA attended the property in July 2025 after receiving a complaint through its Animal Helpline that the animals had been abandoned.
Holiday alibi disproved
There was no response at the property, but an Inspector spoke to a housing officer who contacted Stewart. Stewart told the Inspector she was on holiday in Blackpool and that her sister was supposed to be looking after the pets. However, Stewart's sister was able to prove she had never been asked to care for the animals.
Due to immediate concerns over their welfare, the Inspector told Stewart they would force entry to the property. Behind the door, they found two black and white border collie-type dogs, Gio and Angel, who were frantically jumping to get out. A third dog, a Pomeranian/chihuahua-type called Tasha, ran into the living room barking.
Animals rescued and rehomed
The animals only had access to the hallway and living room, which smelt strongly of ammonia and faeces. There was no food available for the dogs and the only water visible was in a mop bucket, which Tasha was unable to reach because of her size. A Ring doorbell had also been placed inside the living room, apparently allowing Stewart to keep an eye on the animals while she was away.
The Inspector then discovered four goldfish in a bedroom, as well as Blade, who was found alone in another bedroom. Although the kitten appeared to be in good condition, she was crying out and desperate for affection. There was no food, water or litter tray available to her.
All of the animals were taken to the Scottish SPCA's Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre for treatment. A vet found that Tasha and Blade had reportedly been left alone for more than 24 hours without food or water during particularly hot weather. Tasha was found to have symptoms suggestive of chronic heart failure and was prescribed pain relief for dental disease and hindleg joint pain. She was not receiving veterinary treatment for her worsening condition, with the vet concluding she had been suffering in pain for at least two to three months. Sadly, Tasha had to be put to sleep on welfare grounds.
Blade, Gio, Angel and the four fish have since been rehomed. Stewart was sentenced to an 18-month ban on owning or keeping animals, along with a Community Payback Order and an 18-month supervision order.
The Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “It was distressing to see that the animals had been left without access to food, water or companionship. We were mostly concerned about the elderly dog, who was clearly suffering, and the kitten who had been left alone at such a young age.
“This was a repeated pattern of behaviour and Stewart had been officially warned before by us about the appropriate lengths of time that animals can be left unattended. We are glad that Stewart has been brought to justice.”
