A New Zealand woman has been sentenced to two months in prison for allegedly eating her dog to death, according to animal rights activists. Pets are also getting fatter in Austria, according to a survey among veterinarians.
The animal, named ‘Nuggi’, was taken in by the renowned animal welfare organisation SPCA in 2021 after a police raid and later died from his weight, according to a statement. Most New Zealand media reported widely on the extraordinary verdict.
“Nuggi was without a doubt one of the most obese animals we have ever seen,” the organization, which has taken legal action against the dog’s owner, said. “He was so large he could barely walk and was clearly suffering from the considerable weight he was carrying,” it said.
The heavy quadruped had to stop three times to catch his breath on the ten meters he had to walk from the yard to the car. His legs could barely support his enormous body.
Dramatic weight
According to the information, a veterinary examination revealed that the quadruped weighed 53.7 kilos. It was impossible for veterinarians to listen to his heartbeat with a stethoscope, because the sound could not penetrate the fat. Conjunctivitis was also diagnosed.
“Nuggi” spent about two months in the care of the SPCA, where he lost 19 pounds—about 16.5 percent of his body weight. Nevertheless, he died suddenly of an acute hemorrhage caused by a ruptured tumor in his liver. An autopsy revealed additional health complications related to the morbid obesity, including liver disease.
Overfed
According to the SPCA, the dog’s owner pleaded guilty to failing to meet the dog’s physical and health needs. She is alleged to have told the court in Manukau, south of Auckland, that she fed “Nuggi” eight to 10 pieces of chicken every day, as well as treats.
“A responsible dog owner provides their pet with appropriate food and daily exercise, which was clearly not the case here,” Westwood explained. The owner’s failure to seek help was unacceptable. In addition to the prison sentence, the woman was also ordered to pay a fine of around 670 euros, it was said. She is also banned from owning dogs for 12 months.
Source: Krone
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