In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that 40-year-old Andrew McLaughlin admitted to starving his pet bulldog to death over a seven-week period. McLaughlin—of Rona Avenue, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde—pleaded guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court to a charge of causing unnecessary suffering. It was reported that the investigation began on 26 November 2024, when McLaughlin handed the body of his five-year-old dog, Luna, into the Small Animal Hospital in Glasgow.
The investigation established that Luna was in an emaciated condition, with her spine, hips, and ribs clearly visible. Greenock Sheriff Court heard that the dog weighed just 10.5 kilograms, less than half the 23 kilograms expected for a bulldog of her age and size. Veterinary experts reported that the extreme weight loss was consistent with food being acutely withheld for a period of up to six weeks, leading to significant and unnecessary suffering.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that a post-mortem examination revealed several active diseases that had been exacerbated by a severe calorie deficit. Greenock Sheriff Court heard that McLaughlin was the sole person responsible for the dog’s care during the period between 8 October 2024 and 26 November 2024. The investigation established that McLaughlin failed to provide adequate nutrition or seek any veterinary attention for Luna’s deteriorating bodily condition, ultimately causing her death by starvation.
Sheriff Anthony McGeehan presided over the hearing, where McLaughlin admitted his guilt. For his actions in Port Glasgow and Inverclyde, the sheriff deferred sentencing until 22 April 2026 to allow for the preparation of background reports. The judge also continued consideration of a Crown motion that would see McLaughlin disqualified from owning or keeping animals for a period to be determined at the next hearing.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Inverclyde, the status of Andrew McLaughlin as of April 7, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: AWAITING SENTENCING (Sentence deferred until 22 April 2026).
- Animal Disqualification: UNDER CONSIDERATION (Decision pending final sentencing).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal; Failure to provide food/water; Failure to seek veterinary care).
- Judicial Oversight: Proceedings at Greenock Sheriff Court; investigated by Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA.
- Criminal Record: Starved a 5-year-old bulldog to death; Luna weighed 10.5kg (target 23kg); Chronic neglect over a seven-week period.
- Origin: Rona Avenue, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde.
Monitoring and Public Protection
McLaughlin is managed as a convicted animal abuser within the Port Glasgow area while awaiting his final sentence. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically the “acute withholding of food” that led to a slow and painful death—his case is a priority for local animal welfare authorities. Reports from neighbours in Rona Avenue highlighted a significant lack of care for the animal’s welfare, and authorities state that such extreme neglect indicates a total failure of basic responsibility toward a vulnerable creature.
As a convicted offender under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act, McLaughlin’s details are logged within the judicial system. Authorities state that if the disqualification order is granted on 22 April, he will be prohibited from owning, keeping, or being in charge of any animal. Any future attempt to acquire a pet in Port Glasgow or the wider Inverclyde area will be a breach of court orders. Any reports of McLaughlin being in possession of an animal will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the safety of animals in the community from his demonstrated pattern of lethal neglect.
QUESTION – Given that the offender failed to provide food to his pet for up to seven weeks while it wasted away, do you believe that “Lethal Starvation” of an animal should carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence and a lifetime ban on owning pets?
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