Scottish SPCA: Rutherglen man who burned alive puppy is handed 10-year dog ban

Levi Balmer, whose abuse of 16-week-old Mabel led to her death in 2024, was sentenced on Monday after he pleaded guilty to the abuse at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The 20-year-old, from Rutherglen, subjected the Cane Corso cross American Bully puppy to such severe abuse she died of pain-related stress.

Balmer burned Mabel by holding her on a hot surface in his flat, leaving her with second and third-degree burns on her face, back legs, tail and pads.

He also physically attacked Mabel and fractured her tooth.

She was brought to a vet dead on Christmas Eve in 2024 and a call was made to the Scottish SPCA.

Mabel was bleeding from a wound to her shoulder and suffered lameness and swelling. The SPCA said she was in “acute pain” prior to death.

The puppy had been brought into the vets with serious injuries on several occasions before she died, and after speaking to Balmer the SPCA decided to launch an investigation into her death.

The charity requested permission for Mabel’s body to be uplifted in order to carry out a post-mortem, which Balmer agreed to. On the same day, the an inspector attended the vet to see Mabel’s body.

The Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “The image of Mabel still follows me to this day. It was quickly evident she has been victim of extreme abuse and cruelty during her short life; her wounds were so severe.

“It is one of the most distressing cases I have ever dealt with.”

The post-mortem concluded that the pattern of injury was most consistent with a scald injury and that Mabel had been burnt deliberately.

Evidence also showed the fractures had been caused by a deliberate attack rather than an accident.

On Monday, Balmer received a 10 year ban on keeping dogs and a community payback order with a supervision requirement for 12 months and 162 hours of unpaid work.

The Scottish SPCA Inspector said: “We are pleased with the outcome and the court’s decision. Balmer caused poor Mabel severe pain and unnecessary suffering. This will send a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Scotland.

“However, unless a National Animal Offenders Register is introduced, there is a risk Balmer will go on to hurt other animals despite his ban. The register is crucial to ensure repeat offending does not go undetected.”