Couple who caused dogs ‘unnecessary suffering’ banned from owning animals

A COUPLE who caused two cockapoo dogs “significant pain and discomfort” by neglecting them over a six-month period have been banned from owning animals.

Peter and Helen Doyle had previously admitted causing the dogs unnecessary suffering at their home address in Robertson Crescent in Lerwick between 8 May and 8 November 2025.

The dogs – named Poppy and Henry – had to be sedated so that the vets could remove the thick, matted and stained fur that had been left to grow on them.

Vets took one-and-a-half hours to fully remove 1.5kg of matted fur from Poppy at the Bixter vets, while Henry underwent a similar process in Inverness.

Poppy was described as being a “very small dog”, with the matted fur taken from her a significant weight.

Peter Doyle, 58, and Helen Doyle, 43, admitted the charges by letter to Lerwick Sheriff Court in July, but were ordered to appear at Lerwick Sheriff Court in person.

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Their sentences had been deferred for background reports.

Photos of the condition of the two dogs were shown to Sheriff Robert Frazer today (Wednesday).

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the SSPCA were called to the address over a concern for the dogs’ welfare last November.

On arrival, an inspector found Poppy and Henry in a “truly appalling state,” he said.Both required immediate vet attention, and Mackenzie said it was evident they had “obviously been neglected for many months”.

They had been living in a “terrible condition for a lengthy period of time”, he added.

Both dogs were covered in thick, matted fur, with Poppy’s left eye, her four legs and her sides and tail completely covered.

Only after her fur was removed – with Poppy sedated due to the stress – did vets discover overgrown nails underneath, and red, infected skin.

Her eye had also been a source of “significant irritation”, he said.

Henry was in a better condition, but “only marginally so”, the court heard.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said that the two dogs had since been re-homed and were said to be doing well.

Peter and Helen Doyle had no contact with them, he stressed.

And he said the pair had no opposition to a disqualification from owning any further animals, saying they had “no intention” to get anymore pets.

Allan said the pair had been bequeathed one of the dogs by Helen Doyle’s father after he died, and said the background reports had found the pair had “unresolved” bereavement or grief issues.

They were first offenders who showed a “low risk” of reoffending, he said.

Sheriff Frazer said the dogs “should have been taken to be seen by a vet” much sooner than they were.

He placed Peter Doyle under supervision for one year and ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work in that same timeframe.

Helen Doyle, who was described as the “breadwinner” of the house, was also placed under supervision for 12 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

The pair were both banned from owning or caring for an animal for the next two years.