A woman has been banned from keeping animals after leaving several pets without food or water while she went on holiday to Blackpool.
Catherine Ann Stewart left a nine-week-old kitten alone in a bedroom without access to food, water or a litter tray.
An elderly dog was also left without adequate care.
Stewart has now been given an 18-month ban on owning or keeping animals, alongside a Community Payback Order and an 18-month supervision order.
The Scottish SPCA became involved after receiving a complaint through its Animal Helpline in July 2025 that animals had been abandoned at a property in Glasgow.
An inspector attended the property but received no response.
A housing officer contacted Stewart, who told the inspector she was on holiday in Blackpool and that her sister was supposed to be looking after the animals.
However, Stewart's sister was able to show the inspector that she had never agreed to care for the pets.
Due to concerns for the animals' immediate welfare, the inspector told Stewart that they would force entry to the property.
Inside, they found two black-and-white border collie-type dogs, Gio and Angel, who were frantically jumping at the door.
A Pomeranian/chihuahua-type dog named Tasha was also found in the living room.
She appeared to be older, with cloudy eyes and overgrown nails.
The dogs had access only to the hallway and living room, which reportedly smelled strongly of ammonia and faeces.
There was no food available for the dogs and the only visible water was in a mop bucket, which Tasha would not have been able to reach because of her size.
A Ring doorbell had also been placed in the living room, which the inspector believed may have been used to monitor the animals while Stewart was away.
The inspector then found four goldfish in a bedroom.
They appeared to be in good condition and their tank was clean and appropriately sized.
In another bedroom was a nine-week-old kitten named Blade.
Although Blade appeared to be in good physical condition, the kitten was crying out and seeking affection.
There was no food, water or litter tray available.
All of the animals were taken to the Scottish SPCA's Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre for treatment and assessment.
A veterinary examination found that Tasha and Blade had reportedly been left alone for more than 24 hours without food or water during a period of particularly hot weather.
Tasha was found to have symptoms suggestive of chronic heart failure and was prescribed pain relief for dental disease and pain in her hind legs.
The vet concluded that she had been suffering from pain for at least two to three months and was not receiving veterinary treatment for her worsening condition.
Sadly, Tasha later had to be put down on welfare grounds.
Blade, Gio, Angel and the four fish have since been rehomed.
A decision notice was served after Stewart refused to sign the animals over to the Scottish SPCA.
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."
The Scottish SPCA is calling for the introduction of a National Animal Offenders Register in Scotland, which it says would help prevent repeat offending and protect animals from future harm.
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