SSPCA ‘glad it sought justice’ for neglected cockapoo dogs
TWO cockapoo dogs who were neglected by their owners “did not even receive the bare minimum of care”, the Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) has said.
Peter and Helen Doyle were banned from owning or caring for animals at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday after neglecting Poppy and Henry over a six month period.
The dogs 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.
The condition of the two dogs was only discovered by a Scottish SPCA inspector in November 2025 after they received a complaint via the charity’s animal helpline.
The SSPCA said Poppy’s whole body was in a “terrible state”, with one mat covering her left eye completely.
At the visit, Poppy kept rubbing herself on the floor and against the inspector as if she was uncomfortable, it said.
The inspector then advised the couple that she was going to take the dogs for a veterinary examination.
The vet concluded that both the dogs’ welfare had been seriously compromised and stated that it would have taken a number of months for their coats to reach this condition.
Once the mat was removed from Poppy’s eye, the vet noted that the surrounding skin was wet and stained brown with filth.
She was also prescribed a steroid and antibiotic cream for her infected and inflamed skin.
The SSPCA said that, had it not intervened, Henry’s coat would have also ended up considerably worse like Poppy’s.
Both dogs were taken into the care of the Scottish SPCA and both have since gone on to find their forever homes after making a full recovery.
The SSPCA inspector said: “Peter and Helen Doyle could see how poor a condition both Poppy and Henry were in and still did not seek help.
“It would have taken a considerable amount of time for them to get to this state and it is evident by how matted their coats both were that no effort was made to prevent or resolve their suffering.
“Any responsible owner should research the breed they are considering taking on and consider whether they can meet its needs. Cockapoos require to be brushed several times a week and receive regular grooming approximately every six to eight weeks.
“In Poppy and Henry’s case, they did not even receive the bare minimum of care.
“I am glad that we have sought justice for them.”
Peter Doyle was also placed under supervision for one year and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
Helen Doyle was placed under supervision for 12 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.
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