A man has been convicted of neglecting his tortoise following a Scottish SPCA investigation.
George MacIver, 33, of Duntarvie Gardens, Easterhouse, was fined £100 and banned from owning animals for a year after pleading guilty to neglecting his ten-year-old horsefield tortoise named King Billy at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
King Billy weighed just 235g when he was found and was suffering from a variety of conditions including septicaemia and a metabolic bone disease.
The Scottish SPCA said the tortoise, who had been in a very poorly state for at least five months, had to be put down.
Senior Inspector Billy Linton said: "It was clear this tortoise required urgent veterinary attention. He was motionless, extremely thin and could not stand.
"The vivarium he was being kept in had no essential heat provision or ultra violet lighting and there was no food or water available.
"I immediately took him to a vet where we were advised he was just 235g, less than half his ideal body weight of 500g.
"There were red markings on his shell top and underside, indicating septicaemia, and his nostrils were also blocked due to a respiratory disease.
"His shell and head were soft, when they should have been hard. This is known as metabolic bone disease which is caused by not being fed or kept in a suitable environment.
"The vet stated that she was shocked at the tortoise's condition and, sadly, had no option but to put him to sleep and prevent any further suffering.
"MacIver admitted he had been aware his pet was very poorly for at least five months, yet he had no reasonable excuse for failing to seek veterinary attention or provide adequate nutrition.
"Given that MacIver has demonstrated he is unfit to provide even the most basic level of care for an animal, we welcome today's conviction."
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