We’ve all heard the saying – you have to be cruel to be kind – but one dog owner didn’t get this message when she overfed her Corgi cross dog until he was six stone overweight.
The poor dog was being ‘killed with kindness’ according to the Scottish SPCA and could hardly walk.
Tyco was seized from his owner Denise Leitch, 60, who later pleaded guilty in court to failing to provide treatment to a morbidly obese dog. Her pet had been fed an unsuitable diet and not been given exercise.
He was put on a strict diet and exercise regime by the animal organisation and has now reached an ideal body weight and is looking for a new home.
A spokesperson for the Scottish SPCA said: “Tyko has lost 37kg after coming into our care weighing a massive 49.5kg.
“He’ll need medication for the rest of his life as he has a thyroid problem but he doesn’t let it affect him.
“He’s now looking for an active forever home to keep his fitness up. He loves chasing a ball, but he’s not so keen to give it back.”
The dog owner’s defence team said she had not intended to feed her dog into such an unhealthy state and that his lack of exercise was caused by his fear of going outside after being frightened by fireworks. She was not fined by the court.
It is easy to see how this could happen – if I had a pet dog, I don’t think I would be able to resist those eyes looking up at me for titbits of food all the time. It must be hard to be strict.