The Scottish SPCA said Peter and Helen Doyle could see ‘how poor a condition both Poppy and Henry were in and still did not seek help’.
A couple from Shetland have been banned from keeping animals for two years after allowing their dogs’ coats to become so matted their vision and mobility were impaired.
Peter and Helen Doyle were each convicted of two charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act after making “no effort” to prevent their cockapoos Poppy and Henry from suffering as a result of their extremely matted coats.
Peter Doyle was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, while Helen Doyle was ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work.
They were sentenced at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.
The Scottish SPCA discovered the dogs’ condition in November 2025, when an inspector attended a property in Shetland after receiving a complaint of neglect via the charity’s Animal Helpline.
During the visit Poppy kept rubbing herself on the floor and against the inspector as if she was uncomfortable, and the inspector decided to take the animals to be examined by a vet.
The vet concluded that both the dogs’ welfare had been seriously compromised, and that it would have taken a number of months for their coats to reach this condition.
It took more than an hour for the vet to remove the mats on Poppy’s fur, with approximately 1.5kg of matted hair being shaved off.
Once the mat was removed from her 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 SPCA said had they not intervened Henry’s coat would have also ended up considerably worse like Poppy’s. He was also shaved.
Both dogs were taken into the care of the Scottish SPCA for their welfare and transported to the charity’s Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Inverness for further care and treatment.
Both have since gone on to find their “forever homes”.
The 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.”
To report a concern of cruelty, visit the Scottish SPCA website: www.scottishspca.org/contact/
