A man has been handed a 15-year ban on owning animals after deliberately training a dog for animal fighting. Sean Alexander Mullen's Patterdale terrier, Ronnie, was discovered with severe facial injuries by the Scottish SPCA following a tip-off about the dog's condition. According to BBC News, Mullen was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and given a restriction of liberty order.
Mullen, who carried 11 previous convictions including one for killing a fox with a blunt instrument, faced sentencing after the Scottish SPCA's Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant at his Paisley home in December 2025. The investigation uncovered not only Ronnie and two younger male Patterdale terriers, but also equipment used in animal fighting operations, including treadmills designed for conditioning dogs.
Ronnie bore the physical marks of repeated combat. A veterinary examination revealed the dog had sustained what was described as
"repeated facial trauma" that most likely came from animal fighting.The vet's assessment highlighted the deliberate nature of the abuse:
"Allowing the dog to sustain these injuries resulted in preventable disease and injury. The wounds would have been painful and required veterinary treatment. By not seeking veterinary attention, the dog was left to endure severe unnecessary suffering for weeks, or for however long the injuries had been present."
Evidence of Mullen's broader disregard for animal welfare emerged from his social media activity. The Daily Record reported that Mullen's online presence featured images of him holding a dead fox alongside the statement, "The day I stop hunting is the day I stop breathing." Additionally, the outlet documented that Ronnie was forced to run continuously on an outdoor treadmill as part of his conditioning for fights.
The sentencing included a restriction of liberty order confining Mullen to his home between 19:00 and 07:00 for six months, a reduction from the originally proposed nine-month period. However, the Scottish SPCA's Special Investigations Unit expressed disappointment that neither a lifetime ban nor a custodial sentence was imposed, calling the outcome insufficient given the severity of the offences.
What does the law allow?
Scotland's 2020 animal welfare legislation made the most serious animal-fighting and unnecessary-suffering offences eligible for up to five years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine when prosecuted on indictment. Despite these provisions, Mullen received no jail time. The Scottish SPCA has renewed calls for the Scottish government to introduce animal welfare sentencing guidelines, similar to those already in place in England, to ensure consistency and appropriate punishment across cases.
How has Ronnie recovered?
Since his rescue, Ronnie has made a full recovery from his injuries. His new owner described the transformation in the dog's life, saying he is a
"bundle of love"and adding:
"He is the cutest and loveliest dog. He is so caring and loving. He has brought utter joy to our lives. I really can't understand why anyone would do something like this. It brings me to tears to think of the pain and suffering Ronnie has gone through."
Ronnie's case reflects a broader pattern of animal cruelty prosecutions in Scotland. Graham McQuet was banned from keeping animals for five years after neglecting wolfdog hybrids in his Grangemouth garden, while Glenn Tweedie received a lifetime ban after killing his black Labrador with a hammer and knife. These cases demonstrate the range of sentences imposed for animal welfare offences, though campaigners argue that clearer sentencing guidelines would improve consistency.
