A woman in New Zealand has been sentenced to two months in prison following a lawsuit by animal rights activists.
She was found guilty of overfeeding her dog, Nuggi, to the point of death.
The dog was taken into care by the renowned animal welfare organization SPCA in 2021 after a police house search and later died due to its extreme weight.
The case has been widely reported by New Zealand media.
"The Most Obese Animal We Have Ever Seen"
"Nuggi was undoubtedly one of the most obese animals we have ever seen," stated the organization that pursued legal action against the dog's owner.
"He was so huge that he could barely walk and was obviously suffering from the considerable weight he was carrying."
Nuggi had to stop three times to catch his breath while walking just ten meters from the property to the car. His legs struggled to support his enormous body.
Photo: SPCA
A veterinary examination revealed that Nuggi weighed 53.7 kilos (118.3 pounds). Veterinarians were unable to hear his heartbeat with a stethoscope because the sound could not penetrate the fat. Nuggi was also diagnosed with conjunctivitis.
The dog's condition shocked SPCA staff.
Todd Westwood, executive director of the SPCA (Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Incorporated), said, "Sadly, we see animals that are underweight, half-starved, or malnourished every day, but it is equally heartbreaking to see a helpless animal that has been severely overfed."
Nuggi spent about two months in SPCA care, losing 8.9 kilos, roughly 16.5 percent of his body weight.
He died suddenly from acute bleeding due to a ruptured tumor in his liver. An autopsy revealed further health complications related to his morbid obesity, including liver disease.
Court Decision
The dog owner pleaded guilty to failing to meet Nuggi's physical and health needs. In court in Manukau, south of Auckland, she admitted that she fed Nuggi eight to ten pieces of chicken every day, along with treats.
"A responsible dog owner provides their pet with an appropriate diet and daily exercise, which was clearly not the case here," explained Westwood.
The owner's failure to seek help was deemed unacceptable. Besides the prison sentence, the woman must also pay a fine of around 670 euros and is prohibited from keeping dogs for twelve months.
