Woman sent to prison for over feeding dog so much he couldn’t move

Tyler Mitchell By Tyler Mitchell Aug5,2024

A dog named Nuggi became so obese that he could hardly move, leading to his owner’s two-month jail sentence. In October 2021, police discovered Nuggi at his home in Auckland, New Zealand, after executing a search warrant.

He had ballooned to 53.7 kg (approximately eight stone), making it difficult for him to walk more than 10 meters without stopping three times.

Nuggi was immediately taken into veterinary care but, unfortunately, succumbed to health complications two months later. Vets reported that Nuggi’s legs appeared to collapse under his massive weight, and his obesity made it impossible to hear his heart with a stethoscope.

The Manukau District Court heard that Nuggi suffered long-term distress and discomfort due to his weight. He also had conjunctivitis, overgrown nails, and skin tags.

“Nuggi was easily one of the most obese animals we’ve ever encountered”, Todd Westwood, CEO of the NZ Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said.

“He was so enormous that he could hardly walk, and he was clearly suffering as a result of the significant amount of weight he was carrying.”

Westwood highlighted that while his team often deals with underweight, starved, or malnourished animals, seeing a severely overfed animal like Nuggi was equally heartbreaking.

“Part of being a responsible dog owner is providing your pet with an appropriate diet and daily exercise, which was clearly not the case here,” he added.

“Nuggi was being drastically overfed, and instead of seeking help or amending the behavior, his owner continued to overfeed him until he could barely walk. This is unacceptable.”

Nuggi’s owner pleaded guilty, was ordered to pay £514 in reparations, and has been disqualified from owning dogs for 12 months.

Tyler Mitchell

By Tyler Mitchell

Tyler is a renowned journalist with years of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, entertainment, and technology. His insightful analysis and compelling storytelling have made him a trusted source for breaking news and expert commentary.

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