Woman’s Overfeeding Results in Dog’s Untimely End — Here’s How the Owner Was Punished
A shocking case of animal cruelty has emerged from Auckland, New Zealand, where a woman’s excessive feeding of her pet dog led to the animal’s death. The incident has sparked outrage and drawn significant media attention, highlighting the dangers of overfeeding pets.
The case centers around a dog named Nuggi, who was found by police in 2021 weighing a staggering 53.7 kg (120 lbs). The canine’s severe obesity had rendered it virtually immobile. Upon discovery, Nuggi was immediately placed under the care of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
According to reports from New Zealand Herald, the owner later admitted to feeding Nuggi an alarming diet of 8 to 10 pieces of chicken daily, in addition to dog biscuits. This extreme overfeeding regimen ultimately proved fatal for the animal.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership and the severe consequences of neglecting an animal’s health needs. Experts emphasize that proper nutrition and portion control are crucial for maintaining a pet’s well-being and longevity.
Dog Weighing 120 Pounds Couldn’t Even Move
The woman did confess later on that she fed Nuggi 8 to 10 pieces of chicken every day, apart from dog biscuits. It’s incredibly shocking and heartbreaking that the poor dog could still be alive today if his owner had restricted his diet.
Nuggi could barely move when he came to SPCA. He would stop three times to catch his breath while walking just 10 meters. The organization tried to get Nuggi to lose the excess weight. In two months, the dog was even able to shed 19.6 pounds, which amounted to approximately 16.5% of his previous weight.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to save his life. Nuggi succumbed to death due to a liver hemorrhage, which was a result of his obesity. His autopsy reports revealed that he was suffering from a host of other diseases, including liver disease and Cushing’s disease. All of this contributed to the poor dog’s demise.
Todd Eastwood, SPCA chief executive, explained that the organization usually treats and helps underweight animals, highlighting that generally, pets face abuse in the form of underfeeding or starvation. Eastwood also described Nuggi as “one of the most obese animals we’ve ever encountered.”
What Was The Woman’s Punishment?
The Manukau District Court has taken a firm stance on this act of animal cruelty. The woman responsible for Nuggi’s death has been handed a sentence that includes both punitive and preventative measures.
The District Court sentenced the woman to two months in prison on the charges of animal cruelty.
The cruel dog owner’s punishment didn’t end there. She also has to pay a fine of NZD$1,222 (US$720) and is not allowed to own a dog for a year.
Is Overfeeding Animal Abuse And A Punishable Offence?
Whereas Nuggi’s owner was sentenced to prison along with a hefty fine, it’s hard to say if something like this would have happened in the United States (U.S.).
A Reddit user, UrbanGarlic, with experience working at a dog kennel, writes, “The amount of miserable dogs I see every day that waddle in and rattle when they breathe. They’re NOT cute, and they’re NOT comfortable. You are actively shaving years off of your dog’s life.”
Some people also think that while overfeeding your pets is bad, it does not constitute animal abuse or animal cruelty. Another Reddit user shares their opinion, saying, “I think being charged with abuse is a tad extreme, but I agree that it’s awful and not cute.”
The laws surrounding animal abuse are unclear in the U.S., and so it is hard to determine if a dog owner would be punished for overfeeding their dog.
Dr Simon R. Platt, a veterinarian, says that the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act 2019 classifies animal cruelty as a federal crime, carrying penalties of fines and imprisonment for up to 7 years. He further questions, “But what about less visible acts of cruelty? Does ownership of an animal give a person the right to neglect any rights of the pet itself?”
Thus, Dr. Platt vouches for stricter implications for a pet’s neglect and mistreatment that can cause them harm in the long term. He states, “Not taking veterinary advice, overfeeding, incorrect feeding, and lack of exercise could all constitute animal abuse.”
According to an animal and dog lawyer, James L. Arrasmith, “Under California law, animal abuse and neglect is a crime, and this includes overfeeding animals or giving them inappropriate foods that may cause health problems.”
So, if you know someone who is overfeeding their pet to the point where the animal is too obese to live a normal life, the best course of action is “to report this to your local animal control agency or the local law enforcement agency. They will investigate the situation and take appropriate action if necessary.”
