Paul Prentice, aged 22, has been disqualified from keeping animals for five years at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after his 11-month-old French Bulldog puppy starved to death following weeks of neglect.
The court heard that the dog, named Roberto, had been subjected to severe deprivation spanning several weeks, or potentially months, under Prentice’s care.
The animal was finally presented to the PDSA Pet Hospital on 21 November 2025 in an advanced state of physical decline.
Attending veterinary staff discovered the puppy was hypothermic, pale, lethargic, and critically underweight.
Roberto’s body was heavily afflicted by an untreated dermatological infection that had left his skin covered in painful open sores and blistered scabs.
Despite emergency interventions by veterinary staff to stabilise the animal, Roberto collapsed and died while medical treatment was being administered.
A post-mortem examination confirmed that the primary cause of death was a perforated gastric ulcer combined with chronic internal blood loss, arising directly from sustained malnutrition.
Veterinary experts concluded that the puppy’s emaciated condition and distress would have been unmistakable to his owner over a prolonged period.
Prentice demonstrated no remorse during his appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and was overheard telling an acquaintance outside the court building that he needed to smoke a spliff.
The presiding Sheriff sentenced Prentice to a community payback order requiring him to complete 35 hours of unpaid work.
In addition, the court imposed a disqualification order prohibiting Prentice from owning or keeping animals for a period of five years.
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