A woman from New Zealand has been sentenced to two months in prison after being convicted for severely overfeeding her dog, Nuggi, which led to the animal’s death. The court also imposed a fine of NZD 1,222 ($720) on the woman.
According to a statement from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Nuggi, who weighed approximately 54 kilograms (120 pounds) when found by police in 2021, was so obese that he was nearly unable to walk.
The reports indicate that the dog was subsequently removed from the woman’s Auckland home, where authorities discovered other dogs that were also placed into SPCA care.
Despite losing 8.8 kilograms (19.6 pounds) while under the SPCA’s care, Nuggi died from a liver hemorrhage. An autopsy revealed additional health problems, including Cushing’s disease and liver issues.
The woman pleaded guilty to failing to meet Nuggi’s medical, behavioral, and physical needs. The Manukau District Court in Auckland sentenced her to two months in jail and imposed a fine.
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Veterinarians struggled to detect Nuggi’s heartbeat due to his extreme weight, and the dog had numerous health issues including skin growths on his elbows and belly, enlarged claws, and conjunctivitis. The SPCA noted that Nuggi was “drastically overfed” and lacked proper care.
Todd Westwood, Chief of SPCA, described Nuggi as “one of the most obese animals we’ve ever come across.” He highlighted the distressing nature of the case, noting, “We see animals daily that are underweight or malnourished, but it’s equally heartbreaking to see a helpless animal that’s been severely overfed.”
The SPCA reported that Nuggi was fed approximately 10 pieces of chicken daily, in addition to dry food. When veterinarians removed him, Nuggi struggled to walk 10 meters to the car, pausing multiple times to catch his breath.
Westwood underscored the responsibilities of pet ownership, stating, “Providing your pet with an appropriate diet and daily exercise is crucial. Nuggi’s owner failed to do this, leading to his tragic and unacceptable condition.”
