Comments on: Overweight Dog Loses Half Of His Weight After Owners Convicted Of Cruelty http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603 Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:51:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Nancy G http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-249738 Nancy G Thu, 21 May 2009 18:00:20 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-249738 My 84 year old mother has two beagles that way over 60 pounds each. She has been told repeatedly by more than one veterinarian (she changes vets when they tell her the dogs are fat) that they are obese and unhealthy and she is shortening their life span. I know there is no malice in her feeding them, they're like her children, but when you've been told that you are hurting them and continue to do it, then that's when I believe it becomes abuse. She is fulfilling her need to spoil them...it's not about the dogs at all. My siblings and I are about to take them from her. My 84 year old mother has two beagles that way over 60 pounds each. She has been told repeatedly by more than one veterinarian (she changes vets when they tell her the dogs are fat) that they are obese and unhealthy and she is shortening their life span. I know there is no malice in her feeding them, they’re like her children, but when you’ve been told that you are hurting them and continue to do it, then that’s when I believe it becomes abuse. She is fulfilling her need to spoil them…it’s not about the dogs at all. My siblings and I are about to take them from her.

]]> By: Sandy http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-113154 Sandy Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:41:00 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-113154 If grandpa is say 90 years old and diabetic and his family feeds him all the snickers bars he wants, soon his weight doubles and he cannot walk ...umm yeah that makes sense..Take care of your pets ..old or young they cannot MAKE the decisons you can ....I would not allow my child, pet or grandpa to double their weight. Average life span my tush, I have a golden that is 15 years old. Well past the average I can tell you he would not have made it TO 15 if I FED him so much food he was *that* overweight. I am stunned anyone could even think it is OK for these people to feed their dog to death... I keep my dogs trim and weigh them. These owners were WARNED many times the poor dog could hardly move . I am glad they got their pet back but I hope they feed it right. Age does not mean one doesnt need to take care of themself or in the case of animals or very aged humans YOU need to care for them THAT is the issue. If the dog had just been a bit overweight I would agree they should not have had it taken away but THIS kind of weight is a sin. The dog sadly looks like a pig ..I feel sorry for it If grandpa is say 90 years old and diabetic and his family feeds him all the snickers bars he wants, soon his weight doubles and he cannot walk …umm yeah that makes sense..Take care of your pets ..old or young they cannot MAKE the decisons you can ….I would not allow my child, pet or grandpa to double their weight.
Average life span my tush, I have a golden that is 15 years old. Well past the average I can tell you he would not have made it TO 15 if I FED him so much food he was *that* overweight. I am stunned anyone could even think it is OK for these people to feed their dog to death…
I keep my dogs trim and weigh them. These owners were WARNED many times the poor dog could hardly move . I am glad they got their pet back but I hope they feed it right.

Age does not mean one doesnt need to take care of themself or in the case of animals or very aged humans YOU need to care for them THAT is the issue. If the dog had just been a bit overweight I would agree they should not have had it taken away but THIS kind of weight is a sin. The dog sadly looks like a pig ..I feel sorry for it

]]> By: Don Earl http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-113086 Don Earl Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:47:31 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-113086 I think Linda's comment puts it in perspective. Virtually all of the accounts of overweight pets I've seen involve older pets. The average lifespan for dogs runs about 11 years, so, on average, Rusty is at an age where there likely isn't a lot of time left to him. I have two 8 year old cats. Both were feral kittens I rescued. The male has a large frame and looks like there was some Maine Coon in the woodpile. He's been a rock steady, lean and healthy 11.4 pounds for years. He tends to nibble at the food dish and considers it bad form on my part if it's empty. The girl is a brown tabby. She is also a fairly large framed cat, is densely muscled and early on stayed about even on weight with the male. In the last few years, she picked up a couple of pounds and is a bit on the plump side at 14 pounds. She's active, healthy and likes to play. We get in an exercise session pretty much everyday with string toys and chasing a laser light. I've seen her leap three feet and snag a housefly in midair. Am I abusing her because a radical organization, sponsored by pet food companies that sell diet pet food for $4 a pound, says so? If she picks up two more pounds by the time she's 12, does that make me "cruel"? What if toward her twilight years at around 16 she has alilments associated with old age that slow her down to the point she picks up a couple more pounds? This is a cat that when I acquired her would have had an average lifespan of around 3 years as a feral, would have spent her life infested with parasites, faced constant hunger, been constantly exposed to the elements, and spent her days in nearly constant fear from larger predators. Gee, I'm such a wicked person, someone ought to sue me or throw me in jail, especially if they can take a snap shot of her life 8-10 years from now and say, "Ain't this awful. Why didn't he do something?". And hey, if she can be taken away from the home where she has been loved and nurtured her entire life, in order to starve a few pounds off her before the end, that's just icing on the cake. You would be hard pressed to take any pet in a loving home where there isn't a corresponding member from some radical pet food company or vet sponsored organization that thinks you're the scum of the earth on some point or another. You can always follow the money back to someone who has something to sell you as a result of the publicity. I think Linda’s comment puts it in perspective.

Virtually all of the accounts of overweight pets I’ve seen involve older pets.

The average lifespan for dogs runs about 11 years, so, on average, Rusty is at an age where there likely isn’t a lot of time left to him.

I have two 8 year old cats. Both were feral kittens I rescued. The male has a large frame and looks like there was some Maine Coon in the woodpile. He’s been a rock steady, lean and healthy 11.4 pounds for years. He tends to nibble at the food dish and considers it bad form on my part if it’s empty.

The girl is a brown tabby. She is also a fairly large framed cat, is densely muscled and early on stayed about even on weight with the male. In the last few years, she picked up a couple of pounds and is a bit on the plump side at 14 pounds. She’s active, healthy and likes to play. We get in an exercise session pretty much everyday with string toys and chasing a laser light. I’ve seen her leap three feet and snag a housefly in midair.

Am I abusing her because a radical organization, sponsored by pet food companies that sell diet pet food for $4 a pound, says so?

If she picks up two more pounds by the time she’s 12, does that make me “cruel”? What if toward her twilight years at around 16 she has alilments associated with old age that slow her down to the point she picks up a couple more pounds?

This is a cat that when I acquired her would have had an average lifespan of around 3 years as a feral, would have spent her life infested with parasites, faced constant hunger, been constantly exposed to the elements, and spent her days in nearly constant fear from larger predators.

Gee, I’m such a wicked person, someone ought to sue me or throw me in jail, especially if they can take a snap shot of her life 8-10 years from now and say, “Ain’t this awful. Why didn’t he do something?”. And hey, if she can be taken away from the home where she has been loved and nurtured her entire life, in order to starve a few pounds off her before the end, that’s just icing on the cake.

You would be hard pressed to take any pet in a loving home where there isn’t a corresponding member from some radical pet food company or vet sponsored organization that thinks you’re the scum of the earth on some point or another. You can always follow the money back to someone who has something to sell you as a result of the publicity.

]]> By: Jeanie http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-113056 Jeanie Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:04:52 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-113056 If they can take away a dog, what about a child? Is overfeeding cruel? I think this is a question that will certainly end up on hight courts at some time given the increase in child obesity in the USA. I have witnessed overweight parents letting their overweight children snack on chips and pizza. I'm sorry, but a six year old should not have a big ol' gut. Was that six year old happy? Yes. Did she feel abused? No. Will she have major emotional problems in the future? Who knows? I'm less concerned about fat pets than fat children, but it's definitely something our country needs to address in a very serious manner sometime soon. If they can take away a dog, what about a child? Is overfeeding cruel? I think this is a question that will certainly end up on hight courts at some time given the increase in child obesity in the USA. I have witnessed overweight parents letting their overweight children snack on chips and pizza. I’m sorry, but a six year old should not have a big ol’ gut. Was that six year old happy? Yes. Did she feel abused? No. Will she have major emotional problems in the future? Who knows? I’m less concerned about fat pets than fat children, but it’s definitely something our country needs to address in a very serious manner sometime soon.

]]> By: Linda's Cats http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112605 Linda's Cats Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:11:33 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112605 Once again, i find this very troubling. I think the ASPCA is really overstepping its bounds in it's own version of "How I think the world should be". There are so many REAL cruelty cases out there, this is a case of 1) possible ignorance and 2) real possibility that nothing can or would change and a choice made by the parents how to handle things. My cat was between 16-18 when she died (i got her as a stray, and had her for 15 years). She was overweight, adn we battled that for years. something about cats who had been starved, not knowing how to say "no" to food. But as she got older, and as she lost her taste buds and smellers, all she would eat was wet high calorie food. As a pet parent, knowing she was old and arthritic, my vet and i decided not to worry about her weight so much. She had one or two years left. She could either live them feeling satisfied, or feeling like she was always hungry. But she would still have the arthritis, and she would still die from old age and or (at the time, undetected) cancer that took her. WE made that choice in an educated environment. my vet and i talked long and hard about what things to change and not change. My loved cat would be taken away from me cause *someone else* decided i didn't know how to care for her. That is tragic. Once again, i find this very troubling. I think the ASPCA is really overstepping its bounds in it’s own version of “How I think the world should be”. There are so many REAL cruelty cases out there, this is a case of 1) possible ignorance and 2) real possibility that nothing can or would change and a choice made by the parents how to handle things.

My cat was between 16-18 when she died (i got her as a stray, and had her for 15 years). She was overweight, adn we battled that for years. something about cats who had been starved, not knowing how to say “no” to food. But as she got older, and as she lost her taste buds and smellers, all she would eat was wet high calorie food.

As a pet parent, knowing she was old and arthritic, my vet and i decided not to worry about her weight so much. She had one or two years left. She could either live them feeling satisfied, or feeling like she was always hungry. But she would still have the arthritis, and she would still die from old age and or (at the time, undetected) cancer that took her.

WE made that choice in an educated environment. my vet and i talked long and hard about what things to change and not change.

My loved cat would be taken away from me cause *someone else* decided i didn’t know how to care for her.

That is tragic.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112579 Nancy Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:10:22 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112579 It may not be an overt form of cruelty, such as setting them on fire, but the suffering is extreme and can go on for years. As the one poster said, suffering is suffering and dead is dead. I've seen too many obese dogs suffer and die as a result of their owner's inability to manage their pet's weight. Sure, neutering will slow the metabolism, but its a simple enough matter to reduce the food intake slightly after the neuter that it need not ever become an issue. Long before the arthritis sets in, and it WILL set in, the knee joints will usually give out from bearing too much weight. If the owner can't afford surgical repair of the knee(s) they either put the dog down or let it suffer as it hobbles around with torn ligaments. Spinal disks rupture, pasterns break down, the heart is overworked and they are prone to respiratory failure. It is a struggle for them to get up and cross the room! How about the urine burns where they relieve themselves because there is so much fat surrounding the area? When the dog develops diabetes (and the associated health issues) will they bother with giving insulin shots the rest of the dog's life or will they just put it down? My personal opinion is that it IS cruel to put a dog through this when it is so easy (not to mention less expensive) to control their diet and manage the weight properly. It may not be an overt form of cruelty, such as setting them on fire, but the suffering is extreme and can go on for years. As the one poster said, suffering is suffering and dead is dead. I’ve seen too many obese dogs suffer and die as a result of their owner’s inability to manage their pet’s weight. Sure, neutering will slow the metabolism, but its a simple enough matter to reduce the food intake slightly after the neuter that it need not ever become an issue. Long before the arthritis sets in, and it WILL set in, the knee joints will usually give out from bearing too much weight. If the owner can’t afford surgical repair of the knee(s) they either put the dog down or let it suffer as it hobbles around with torn ligaments. Spinal disks rupture, pasterns break down, the heart is overworked and they are prone to respiratory failure. It is a struggle for them to get up and cross the room! How about the urine burns where they relieve themselves because there is so much fat surrounding the area? When the dog develops diabetes (and the associated health issues) will they bother with giving insulin shots the rest of the dog’s life or will they just put it down? My personal opinion is that it IS cruel to put a dog through this when it is so easy (not to mention less expensive) to control their diet and manage the weight properly.

]]> By: M http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112571 M Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:43:10 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112571 Im sorry..even that other article that says "now the dog has hunger pangs" well duhh...anyone dog, human or otherwise would have hunger pangs if it was put on a diet. It's common sense, when you reduce food intake your going to be hungry. I hope Rusty's family can see the err of their ways and try to reduce Rusty's weight so he can live a happy healthy less painful life. I think the RSPCA should have EDUCATED the family instead of taking their dog from them. Maybe the family didn't know any better?? I know one of my dogs was "chubby" but I didn't realize how chubby until my vet said something. I got my husband on board and we put him on the green bean/bran flake diet. Worked wonders. He's perfect weight now and has more energy...and of course he too had hunger pangs. Im sorry..even that other article that says “now the dog has hunger pangs” well duhh…anyone dog, human or otherwise would have hunger pangs if it was put on a diet. It’s common sense, when you reduce food intake your going to be hungry.

I hope Rusty’s family can see the err of their ways and try to reduce Rusty’s weight so he can live a happy healthy less painful life.

I think the RSPCA should have EDUCATED the family instead of taking their dog from them. Maybe the family didn’t know any better?? I know one of my dogs was “chubby” but I didn’t realize how chubby until my vet said something. I got my husband on board and we put him on the green bean/bran flake diet. Worked wonders. He’s perfect weight now and has more energy…and of course he too had hunger pangs.

]]> By: furmom http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112491 furmom Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:24:07 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112491 To be clear, just because it's common, doesn't mean it's right either. To be clear, just because it’s common, doesn’t mean it’s right either.

]]> By: furmom http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112490 furmom Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:19:57 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112490 A lot of people are killing their pets with kindness, overfeeding them. So there are a lot of "cruel" people out there. And a for gramps, if he was 200 pounds when he was 20, and 400 pounds at age 70, I'd say that's bording on some kind of abuse. If gramps is competent, I guess that's his priviledge. But if he isn't and someone is responsible for overfeeding him... it's a sign of our society's confused attitude toward food (food _ love) and health. It wouldn't be necessary to starve him and force him to exercise in pain, if he weren't allowed to get so much overweight in the first place. An awful lot of grampas and dogs would have to be confiscated. If it were the same as cruelty or legally defined abuse (difficult to define at best) then a lot of people would be in jail. A lot of people are killing their pets with kindness, overfeeding them. So there are a lot of “cruel” people out there. And a for gramps, if he was 200 pounds when he was 20, and 400 pounds at age 70, I’d say that’s bording on some kind of abuse. If gramps is competent, I guess that’s his priviledge. But if he isn’t and someone is responsible for overfeeding him… it’s a sign of our society’s confused attitude toward food (food _ love) and health. It wouldn’t be necessary to starve him and force him to exercise in pain, if he weren’t allowed to get so much overweight in the first place. An awful lot of grampas and dogs would have to be confiscated. If it were the same as cruelty or legally defined abuse (difficult to define at best) then a lot of people would be in jail.

]]> By: Don Earl http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112483 Don Earl Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:39:56 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112483 RE: "Even with arthritis there is just no reason to allow your pet to suffer spinal fractures, diabetes and so many ills from poisening it with TOO MUCH food and too little exercise." What do they figure as a dog year? 7 years? Ten years old makes Rusty the same age as a 70 year old human. So... grandpa is getting a bit creaky in the joints and just doesn't get about the way he used to. There's isn't much left to gramps these days, but he does enjoy his snacks, and you know, it's kind of nice to have the lifelong family about. BUT WAIT! Gramps is getting rather thick about the equator these days! His family must be abusing him or he would still look like an athletic 20 year old! A bunch of publicity seeking radicals said so. What's the solution? First we must separate Gramps from his loved ones. Next, we must starve Grandpa and put him on a treadmill. That's the ticket! It may make his twilight years miserable, but by golly, he'll look great in his coffin. I guess there are different perspectives on what constitutes "cruelty" to some folks. Taking an old, arthritic dog out of his lifelong home, and starving 80 pounds off him with forced exercise, well, I don't know about a dog's view, but if someone tried that with me, I'd certainly bite them. RE: “Even with arthritis there is just no reason to allow your pet to suffer spinal fractures, diabetes and so many ills from poisening it with TOO MUCH food and too little exercise.”

What do they figure as a dog year? 7 years?

Ten years old makes Rusty the same age as a 70 year old human.

So… grandpa is getting a bit creaky in the joints and just doesn’t get about the way he used to. There’s isn’t much left to gramps these days, but he does enjoy his snacks, and you know, it’s kind of nice to have the lifelong family about.

BUT WAIT! Gramps is getting rather thick about the equator these days! His family must be abusing him or he would still look like an athletic 20 year old! A bunch of publicity seeking radicals said so.

What’s the solution?

First we must separate Gramps from his loved ones. Next, we must starve Grandpa and put him on a treadmill. That’s the ticket! It may make his twilight years miserable, but by golly, he’ll look great in his coffin.

I guess there are different perspectives on what constitutes “cruelty” to some folks. Taking an old, arthritic dog out of his lifelong home, and starving 80 pounds off him with forced exercise, well, I don’t know about a dog’s view, but if someone tried that with me, I’d certainly bite them.

]]> By: Sandy http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112471 Sandy Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:11:21 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112471 It IS cruel to make any animal overweight and suffer the long term issues caused by that weight..In this case the dog was TWICE what it should weight. I have a lab and both pictures look fat. I do not think the after pic looks right. Once your dog gets to be say 5-10 pounds overweight it should clue you in to decrease food and make the dog move more..Even with arthritis there is just no reason to allow your pet to suffer spinal fractures, diabetes and so many ills from poisening it with TOO MUCH food and too little exercise..The dog should be AKC stanards weigh about 80 pounds NOT 161 pounds. Idiot owners...And one form of abuse does not make null and void other forms abuse is abuse It IS cruel to make any animal overweight and suffer the long term issues caused by that weight..In this case the dog was TWICE what it should weight. I have a lab and both pictures look fat. I do not think the after pic looks right. Once your dog gets to be say 5-10 pounds overweight it should clue you in to decrease food and make the dog move more..Even with arthritis there is just no reason to allow your pet to suffer spinal fractures, diabetes and so many ills from poisening it with TOO MUCH food and too little exercise..The dog should be AKC stanards weigh about 80 pounds NOT 161 pounds. Idiot owners…And one form of abuse does not make null and void other forms abuse is abuse

]]> By: furmom http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112398 furmom Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:07:39 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112398 I don't see overfeeding as the same as intentional cruelty. People overfeed for many reasons (and many people do it). Some have emotional problems regarding food themselves, and translate that to their dog. They don't know how to limit their pet's excess food without feeling guilty. They are ignorant of the harm they do to an elderly arthritic pet, yes, even when the obvious is pointed out. Why couldn't they reduce their pet's intake gradually, to save him the discomfort of arthritis and of having to lose weight quickly, separated from loved ones? Why would it cost a huge amount for someone to do this for them, perhaps no foster pet-parent available. It's not that tricky to limit food and gradually increase exercise. People just don't seem to get it that overfeeding causes their pet harm, I don't get it. Cruelty? no. Ignorance? Certainly. I don’t see overfeeding as the same as intentional cruelty. People overfeed for many reasons (and many people do it). Some have emotional problems regarding food themselves, and translate that to their dog. They don’t know how to limit their pet’s excess food without feeling guilty. They are ignorant of the harm they do to an elderly arthritic pet, yes, even when the obvious is pointed out. Why couldn’t they reduce their pet’s intake gradually, to save him the discomfort of arthritis and of having to lose weight quickly, separated from loved ones? Why would it cost a huge amount for someone to do this for them, perhaps no foster pet-parent available. It’s not that tricky to limit food and gradually increase exercise. People just don’t seem to get it that overfeeding causes their pet harm, I don’t get it. Cruelty? no. Ignorance? Certainly.

]]> By: Nick http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112323 Nick Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:49:05 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112323 Trouble is things are not always as they seem. Here's an SHG press release about Rusty at the time of the original conviction. See what you think after reading it: SHG Press Release The Fat Dog Case The RSPCA failed to alleviate Rusty’s suffering. All they achieved was to add the hunger pangs of starvation to the pain of arthritis and hip dysplasia and to separate Rusty from those he loved. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18th January 2007 On the eve of Rusty’s return to the Bentons The Self Help Group for Farmers, Pet Owners and Others experiencing difficulties with the RSPCA (The SHG) is breaking its silence on this matter in order to correct the misunderstandings relating to the merits of bringing this prosecution in the light of the statement by Ben Bradshaw, during the final debate before the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (AWA) became law, that “It is not the Government’s intention to punish the owners of fat cats, although overfeeding an animal can be problematic” Said Ernest Vine of the SHG: “We hope that once the AWA is in force the RSPCA will comply with the intentions of Parliament and will never again bring a case involving an overweight animal before the courts.” “Rusty was suffering in the care of the Bentons. Rusty has been suffering in the care of the RSPCA. And Rusty will continue to suffer until the day he dies, irrespective of whose care he is in.” “Most of Rusty’s weight gain occurred following an operation to neuter him. Neutered or spayed dogs need 30% less food than unaltered dogs and it is this factor that is contributing to so much obesity in the canine world.” “In Rusty’s case this reduction in food intake has to be added to the reduction necessary to account for his inability to exercise because of the pain from his hip dysplasia and severe arthritis and his need to lose weight. The only means by which he can lose weight is for his dietary intake to be restricted.” According to Duncan Davidson, the defence vet, Rusty had unusually large amounts of grass in his faeces and was desperate to eat grass when outside. Rusty’s need to eat grass can be explained by Mr. Davidson’s estimation that Rusty needs a 75% reduction of the normal labrador’s dietary intake. Anne Kasica said “So the RSPCA have replaced the suffering of being overweight with the suffering of feeling continually starved and desperate to eat. No-one can cure Rusty’s arthritis which is the cause of his obesity. Indeed, if it were so easy to diet Jackie Ballard, the Director General of the RSPCA would have gone through life with a slender waif like build.” “Which form of suffering is worse? Rusty cannot walk and exercise even when slimmed down because of his arthritis. And in his twilight years the one pleasure that every Labrador is renowned for enjoying, eating, has been denied him as a result of this ill-judged political prosecution.” “The Bentons were found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to adequately treat Rusty’s ear condition because with all of the immense resources available to them, the RSPCA had also failed to cure it. Just as they have failed to cure his eye problems and arthritis.” Indeed, Rusty had enjoyed treatment paid for by pet insurance for most of his life. But his pet insurance ended when he reached the cut off age. And the Benton’s vets, Pet Doctors, refused to treat Rusty unless they were paid cash up front. Pet Doctors also refused to let the Bentons pay in instalments. Said Anne Kasica: “The massive costs of the RSPCA’s treatment regime for Rusty were beyond the purse of any ordinary pet owner. The RSPCA could have offered to help with the cost of veterinary treatment for Rusty but instead chose to spend many thousands of pounds in prosecuting his owners. They put Rusty through further misery by separating him from the people he loved and taking him from the only home he knew.” “This case highlights the reasons why people are afraid to approach the RSPCA for help. We have been campaigning for some time for an animal NHS for the animals of pensioners because just when insurance is most needed, when an animal becomes elderly and its owners income drops, is the time insurance is no longer available. Conclusion The SHG urges government to introduce a National Animal Health Service which we believe would do more to reduce animal suffering than all of the animal welfare legislation that has been passed while this government has been in power. The SHG urges the government to take steps to control RSPCA prosecutions by requiring them to be scrutinised by the police and CPS before they are allowed to proceed, and we ask the CPS to actively quality control all RSPCA prosecutions by taking over and dropping those which are clearly political or which no responsible prosecutor would bring. Notes to Editors: - References House of Commons Hansard Debates for 06 Nov 2006 (pt 0001) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm061106/debtext/61106-0009.htm#06110618001670 The SHG Response to the EIG consultation http://the-shg.org/Consultation%20responses.htm Pudgy pooch lumbers home - The ChronicleHerald.ca http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/552452.html Brothers found guilty over 'grossly' obese dog http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,,1989216,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=11 Defence Barrister: Ann Marie Gregory of St. Pauls Chambers Leeds For further comment please contact Anne Kasica on 01559 371031 or Ernest Vine on 01559 370566. Mobile 07719 367148. e-mail: shg@the-shg.org The SHG was officially formed in June 1990 and has been helping people to defend themselves and their animals from the RSPCA ever since. The national help line number is 08700 72 66 89 A copy of this and previous press releases from The SHG are online at http://www.the-shg.org/SHGPressReleases.htm Background information on the Self Help Group for Farmers Pet Owners and Other Experiencing Difficulties with the RSPCA can be found at http://www.the-shg.org Details of further criticisms of the RSPCA can be found at the RSPCA-Animadversion website: http://cheetah.webtribe.net/~animadversion ENDS Trouble is things are not always as they seem. Here’s an SHG press release about Rusty at the time of the original conviction. See what you think after reading it:

SHG Press Release

The Fat Dog Case

The RSPCA failed to alleviate Rusty’s suffering.

All they achieved was to add the hunger pangs of starvation to the pain of arthritis and hip dysplasia and to separate Rusty from those he loved.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

18th January 2007

On the eve of Rusty’s return to the Bentons The Self Help Group for Farmers, Pet Owners and Others experiencing difficulties with the RSPCA (The SHG) is breaking its silence on this matter in order to correct the misunderstandings relating to the merits of bringing this prosecution in the light of the statement by Ben Bradshaw, during the final debate before the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (AWA) became law, that

“It is not the Government’s intention to punish the owners of fat cats, although overfeeding an animal can be problematic”

Said Ernest Vine of the SHG: “We hope that once the AWA is in force the RSPCA will comply with the intentions of Parliament and will never again bring a case involving an overweight animal before the courts.”

“Rusty was suffering in the care of the Bentons. Rusty has been suffering in the care of the RSPCA. And Rusty will continue to suffer until the day he dies, irrespective of whose care he is in.”

“Most of Rusty’s weight gain occurred following an operation to neuter him. Neutered or spayed dogs need 30% less food than unaltered dogs and it is this factor that is contributing to so much obesity in the canine world.”

“In Rusty’s case this reduction in food intake has to be added to the reduction necessary to account for his inability to exercise because of the pain from his hip dysplasia and severe arthritis and his need to lose weight. The only means by which he can lose weight is for his dietary intake to be restricted.”

According to Duncan Davidson, the defence vet, Rusty had unusually large amounts of grass in his faeces and was desperate to eat grass when outside. Rusty’s need to eat grass can be explained by Mr. Davidson’s estimation that Rusty needs a 75% reduction of the normal labrador’s dietary intake.

Anne Kasica said “So the RSPCA have replaced the suffering of being overweight with the suffering of feeling continually starved and desperate to eat. No-one can cure Rusty’s arthritis which is the cause of his obesity. Indeed, if it were so easy to diet Jackie Ballard, the Director General of the RSPCA would have gone through life with a slender waif like build.”

“Which form of suffering is worse? Rusty cannot walk and exercise even when slimmed down because of his arthritis. And in his twilight years the one pleasure that every Labrador is renowned for enjoying, eating, has been denied him as a result of this ill-judged political prosecution.”

“The Bentons were found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to adequately treat Rusty’s ear condition because with all of the immense resources available to them, the RSPCA had also failed to cure it. Just as they have failed to cure his eye problems and arthritis.”

Indeed, Rusty had enjoyed treatment paid for by pet insurance for most of his life. But his pet insurance ended when he reached the cut off age. And the Benton’s vets, Pet Doctors, refused to treat Rusty unless they were paid cash up front. Pet Doctors also refused to let the Bentons pay in instalments.

Said Anne Kasica: “The massive costs of the RSPCA’s treatment regime for Rusty were beyond the purse of any ordinary pet owner. The RSPCA could have offered to help with the cost of veterinary treatment for Rusty but instead chose to spend many thousands of pounds in prosecuting his owners. They put Rusty through further misery by separating him from the people he loved and taking him from the only home he knew.”

“This case highlights the reasons why people are afraid to approach the RSPCA for help. We have been campaigning for some time for an animal NHS for the animals of pensioners because just when insurance is most needed, when an animal becomes elderly and its owners income drops, is the time insurance is no longer available.
Conclusion

The SHG urges government to introduce a National Animal Health Service which we believe would do more to reduce animal suffering than all of the animal welfare legislation that has been passed while this government has been in power.

The SHG urges the government to take steps to control RSPCA prosecutions by requiring them to be scrutinised by the police and CPS before they are allowed to proceed, and we ask the CPS to actively quality control all RSPCA prosecutions by taking over and dropping those which are clearly political or which no responsible prosecutor would bring.
Notes to Editors: -
References

House of Commons Hansard Debates for 06 Nov 2006 (pt 0001)
http://www.publications.parlia.....0618001670

The SHG Response to the EIG consultation
http://the-shg.org/Consultation%20responses.htm

Pudgy pooch lumbers home - The ChronicleHerald.ca
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/552452.html

Brothers found guilty over ‘grossly’ obese dog
http://www.guardian.co.uk/anim.....mp;feed=11

Defence Barrister: Ann Marie Gregory of St. Pauls Chambers Leeds

For further comment please contact Anne Kasica on 01559 371031 or Ernest Vine on 01559 370566. Mobile 07719 367148. e-mail: shg@the-shg.org

The SHG was officially formed in June 1990 and has been helping people to defend themselves and their animals from the RSPCA ever since. The national help line number is 08700 72 66 89

A copy of this and previous press releases from The SHG are online at
http://www.the-shg.org/SHGPressReleases.htm

Background information on the Self Help Group for Farmers Pet Owners and Other Experiencing Difficulties with the RSPCA can be found at http://www.the-shg.org

Details of further criticisms of the RSPCA can be found at the RSPCA-Animadversion website: http://cheetah.webtribe.net/~animadversion

ENDS

]]> By: cat lady http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112249 cat lady Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:22:29 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112249 I think that there are enough real cruelty cases out there that the RSPCA would have their hands full with them. DO we really want "government" telling us what we can eat and how much and how much we can feed our pets....pets that currently are only considered possessions? slippery slope here people....slippery slope.... time to read "1984" because we are living it... I think that there are enough real cruelty cases out there that the RSPCA would have their hands full with them. DO we really want “government” telling us what we can eat and how much and how much we can feed our pets….pets that currently are only considered possessions?

slippery slope here people….slippery slope….

time to read “1984″ because we are living it…

]]> By: Katie http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112203 Katie Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:26:14 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/overweight-dog-loses-half-of-his-weight-after-owners-convicted-of-cruelty-4603#comment-112203 Morbid obesity like that is certainly less dramatic than setting a dog on fire, but if it ends up with the dog being killed because it can no longer get up due to the absurd amount of wear and tear on joints and body, well, dead is dead. Morbid obesity like that is certainly less dramatic than setting a dog on fire, but if it ends up with the dog being killed because it can no longer get up due to the absurd amount of wear and tear on joints and body, well, dead is dead.

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