A MUM had her three children living in a house with dog faeces and dirty floorboards. 

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, previously pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to failing to provide lodgings which were safe and of an adequate standard of hygiene.

She exposed the three children, who were all under the age of four at the time, to toxic substances including animal urine and faeces in the home in Dumbarton.

The children were in the same home as a number of large dogs and puppies whilst she was under the influence of an intoxicant and rendered herself unable to protect them from risks.

The mum-of-three collected her children from nursery on September 17, 2018, when a member of staff contacted police and social services as they were not content with her presentation.

At the town's court, procurator fiscal Laura Martin said: "The accused had eventually left [the nursery] with all three children and attended at the home address. Police and social workers also attended at the address of the accused.

"On arrival at the home, police entered the hallway and were made aware that the floorboards were dirty.

"On entering the living room, the floorboards were visible and a section was cornered off and used as an enclosure for several puppies. It was covered in dog faeces and there was a strong smell of dog faeces throughout the property.

"On attending upstairs, there was a bedroom indicated for children. There were no beds in the room, only bare floors. There was a further bedroom where the mattress was on a double bed, but there were no sheets or covers.

"Police and social work decided that the condition of the house was not suitable living conditions for three young children. The children were removed at this point."

It was heard during the sentencing this week that the case was previously deferred by Sheriff Seith Ireland for the former Dumbarton woman to be of good behaviour.

Now living elsewhere, the mother's solicitor then explained that all three of the children have been in foster care since the incident and she only has 'letterbox contact' with them.

Sheriff Lindsay Kooner said: "I appreciate that would be properly distressing as the conditions were far below what would be to house young children. However, I am prepared to bring this matter to an end.

"We are now in 2023 and Sheriff Ireland deferred for you to be of good behaviour, so rather than bringing you back [to court] you will simply be admonished."