July 24th 2024.
A tragic story has emerged from Auckland, where a woman has been charged by the SPCA for failing to properly care for her dog, Nuggi. As a result, Nuggi sadly passed away. The case came to light when police executed a search warrant at the owner's home in Manurewa earlier this year. Nuggi, weighing a whopping 53.7kg, was taken in by the SPCA and other dogs on the property were brought to an animal shelter.
According to animal control officers, Nuggi struggled to walk just 10 meters from his home to the car, having to stop three times to catch his breath. His legs were buckling under the weight of his massive body. When the SPCA first examined him, he was found to be severely obese, making it impossible to even hear his heart with a stethoscope due to the excessive fat. In addition, Nuggi had overgrown nails, skin tags, and conjunctivitis. The SPCA Chief Executive, Todd Westwood, expressed his shock at Nuggi's condition, as they usually dealt with underweight or malnourished animals.
The veterinarian who assessed Nuggi noted that he struggled to move, breathe, and cope with warm weather due to his obesity. He was also constantly fatigued. The owner revealed to SPCA inspectors that she fed Nuggi eight to 10 pieces of chicken daily, along with dog biscuits. She claimed to exercise him by taking him for walks or having him spend time outside on the property.
Westwood stressed the importance of being a responsible dog owner, which includes providing appropriate nutrition and daily exercise. In Nuggi's case, this was clearly neglected. The SPCA was making progress with Nuggi's weight loss, with him losing 8.9kg in just two months. However, tragedy struck when he suddenly passed away due to a ruptured mass on his liver. A necropsy revealed further underlying health issues, including liver disease and Cushing's disease.
The court sentenced the woman to two months in prison, ordered her to pay $1,222.15 in reparations, and banned her from owning dogs for 12 months. This serves as a reminder that neglecting an animal's basic needs is unacceptable and can have devastating consequences. Let us all strive to be responsible pet owners and provide our furry friends with the care and love they deserve. This article was originally published on Stuff.co.nz and has been reproduced here with permission.
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