A CARE home worker banned from keeping pets for 20 years after he admitted striking his Chihuahua, resulting in the dog’s death, has been suspended from his job for six months.

David Aird, of Caesar Way, Tranent, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last September.

A post-mortem found that the dog died from “blunt force trauma” after Mr Aird struck it with his hand.

A report by Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) identified the reasons Mr Aird had been suspended.

The report read in part: “We decided that, based on the facts found, your fitness to practise is impaired.”

A decision has also been made “to place a suspension order on Mr Aird’s registration, on the part of the Register for Support Workers in a Care Home Service for Adults for a period of six months”.

In the notice of decision, SSSC said: “Your behaviour demonstrates a serious disregard for the law and for the SSSC Codes of Practice; your behaviour was violent in nature; an animal died as a result of your behaviour; your behaviour negatively impacts on the reputation of the profession.”

Meanwhile, factors in Mr Aird’s favour were listed as: “This was an isolated incident for which you have expressed significant regret and remorse; no findings have previously been made against you by the SSSC; no findings of previous violent or offending behaviour or subsequent violent or offending behaviour; there is no evidence you have acted violently towards any person you have encountered in your social services employment; you have shown insight and reflected on your behaviour.”