An investigation is ongoing into the death of a 71-year-old man in Moray.
The man, believed to be controversial dog owner Andrew Debidin, was found dead at his home in Rothiemay in December.
Woodhead of Mayen, Rothiemay, pictured in 2012 where Andrew Debidin lived with nearly 50 Alsatians. Picture: Peter Jolly – Northpix
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear but the SSPCA confirmed that two dogs were removed from the property.
A spokesperson for the animal welfare charity told The Northern Scot that the animals are “doing well” adding that they will be rehomed.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which is responsible for investigating all sudden, suspicious, accidental and unexplained deaths, received a report of the death on December 15.
A spokesperson said: “The Procurator Fiscal has received a report on the death of a 71-year-old man in Rothiemay, Moray on December 15, 2024.
“An investigation into the death is ongoing and any significant developments will be shared with the family.”
Although his identity is yet to be officially confirmed it is understood to be Mr Debidin.
He made national headlines more than a decade ago when he won the right to keep nearly 50 Alsatians at his compound in Rothiemay in 2012 despite the protestations of his neighbours and Moray Council.
The local authority had sought a court order after complaints about the noise of barking but it was ruled that Mr Debidin had a right to his lifestyle.
Allan Wright, council leader at the time, said he was disappointed with the ruling adding that he found it “difficult to comprehend”.
Mr Debidin arrived in Moray with the dogs in 2006 after leaving Ardersier near Inverness when Highland Council won an Asbo against him.
Before moving to Scotland the former Vidal Sassoon hairdresser was handed a life ban on keeping dogs by a High Court judge in England in 1996 for failing to keep his 16 dogs quiet.
The Daily Record and Daily Express reported that in the same year the mutilated remains of skinned Alsatians were found in oil drums in the garden of his home in Berkshire.