161# Chocolate Lab - did anyone see this??

Estie · 01-16-2007, 10:59 AM

Article from the UK.....

Rusty!!

The RSPCA has been criticised for successfully prosecuting two brothers who allowed their Labrador to become fat.

Magistrates convicted Derek Benton, 62 and his brother David, 53, of causing unnecessary suffering after a £12,000 two-day trial.

But they decided that the dog, Rusty - who was 11-and-a-half stone at his heaviest - could be returned to the Bentons providing it was properly cared for. They imposed a conditional discharge on each of the men.

David Benton, a crane driver, said afterwards that the RSPCA were behaving like "the fat police" and that he had been "dumbfounded" by the prosecution.

Earlier the brothers' lawyer, Ann-Marie Gregory, had told the court in Ely, Cambridgeshire, that the case had left the owners of overweight animals living in fear of prosecution.

But RSPCA inspectors denied behaving unreasonably and said they had acted to prevent Rusty suffering.

Chief Inspector Mark Thompson, who led the investigation, said he was disappointed the court had ruled the dog could return home. He said he feared for the animal's future.

Both men denied causing unnecessary suffering, saying the animal was overweight because it had arthritis and could not exercise.

The RSPCA told magistrates that the Bentons had allowed Rusty's weight to rise from eight to more than eleven-and-a-half stones in two years.

Officials said the brothers, who live together in Fordham, Cambridgeshire, had ignored veterinary advice and failed to give Rusty an appropriate diet.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not a good outcome for the dog!! Poor thing!
Estie

IceyBlueSibes · 01-16-2007, 11:10 AM

Oh my gosh! That is HORRIBLE! Poor baby!

***Rivsky*** · 01-16-2007, 12:10 PM

That poor dog - he must be so uncomfortable.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the RSCPA prosecuting his owners - it wasn't like he was just a little overweight - I think letting a dog get that fat is cruelty. He looks like he can hardly move - poor baby.

12weimgirl · 01-16-2007, 01:02 PM

OMG!!! How CAN a dog get that...FAT...!!!!! Thats HORRIBLE!!!!!

01-16-2007, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Estie estie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 222 Rep Power: 60	161# Chocolate Lab - did anyone see this?? Article from the UK..... Rusty!! The RSPCA has been criticised for successfully prosecuting two brothers who allowed their Labrador to become fat. Magistrates convicted Derek Benton, 62 and his brother David, 53, of causing unnecessary suffering after a £12,000 two-day trial. But they decided that the dog, Rusty - who was 11-and-a-half stone at his heaviest - could be returned to the Bentons providing it was properly cared for. They imposed a conditional discharge on each of the men. David Benton, a crane driver, said afterwards that the RSPCA were behaving like "the fat police" and that he had been "dumbfounded" by the prosecution. Earlier the brothers' lawyer, Ann-Marie Gregory, had told the court in Ely, Cambridgeshire, that the case had left the owners of overweight animals living in fear of prosecution. But RSPCA inspectors denied behaving unreasonably and said they had acted to prevent Rusty suffering. Chief Inspector Mark Thompson, who led the investigation, said he was disappointed the court had ruled the dog could return home. He said he feared for the animal's future. Both men denied causing unnecessary suffering, saying the animal was overweight because it had arthritis and could not exercise. The RSPCA told magistrates that the Bentons had allowed Rusty's weight to rise from eight to more than eleven-and-a-half stones in two years. Officials said the brothers, who live together in Fordham, Cambridgeshire, had ignored veterinary advice and failed to give Rusty an appropriate diet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not a good outcome for the dog!! Poor thing! Estie

01-16-2007, 11:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,601 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 263	Oh my gosh! That is HORRIBLE! Poor baby!
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

01-16-2007, 12:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Rivsky* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Australia Posts: 3,624 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 132	That poor dog - he must be so uncomfortable. I don't think there's anything wrong with the RSCPA prosecuting his owners - it wasn't like he was just a little overweight - I think letting a dog get that fat is cruelty. He looks like he can hardly move - poor baby.
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

01-16-2007, 01:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
12weimgirl Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Rep Power: 54	OMG!!! How CAN a dog get that...FAT...!!!!! Thats HORRIBLE!!!!!
	__________________ Lauren

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