Is obesity a form of animal cruelty? - Modern D. (ModernDog) Journal on ZooToo

Journals > Health & Wellness > View Entry

Is obesity a form of animal cruelty?

Posted by Modern D. (ModernDog) in Health & Wellness

posted on:

Oct '09

11:19am

Fat Bob

I was reading this interesting story about this dog owner in Scotland who had his dog taken away from him because the dog was too heavy. The man was then charged for "unnecesary suffering". The story has a somewhat happy ending, with the dog getting a new owner and shedding some of his 64 kilos (yikes!). But am wondering, how do you get to the point where your dog weighs 64 kilos? And how would you feel if you dog got taken away? Is feeding your dog too much a form of animal cruelty and where do you draw the line?

You can read the story at:news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8328249.stm

Comment on this entry

Add journal entry to Pick List

Flag this

share your thoughts

4 comments found.

Posted by lindsey d. (mavsmomma)
4 weeks ago

Flag this | Reply

I agree that they should have shown him what he was doing wrong and how to change it so his dog could get down to a healthy weight. if he is overfed you can see he is taking care of him in his own misguided way and he doesn't look abused at all so how can it be abuse if it is just uneducation and love. Now they are trying to say obese kids are a form of abuse and there was a woman got her kid taken away too. i think there needs to be steps to take to help these people before you just take their pet or child away. It is nobodies business if you ask me and i think the worst they should be able to do is put them on a court ordered course that teaches healthy habits and exercise. The government needs to know when to butt out. It isn't really any of their business.

Posted by Modern D. (ModernDog)
4 weeks ago

Flag this | Reply

it does seem a bit harsh to have the dog taken away. and you are right, the owners biggest fault is ignorance not cruelty.

Posted by lindsey d. (mavsmomma)
3 weeks ago

Flag this | Reply

its sad some people just don't see they are doing wrong by loving their pets "too much" There are countless dogs in homes that don't feed them enough or at all but their dogs don't get taken away. Are we now trying to push that unobtainable image of perfection that women have been fighting for years on our pets? I really think these people just need guided in the right direction to make better choices. Not punished for something done out of love but misinformed.

Posted by Tricia L. (Tikka)
4 weeks ago

Flag this | Reply

Yikes. I would think one would notice their dog was getting a little on the heavy side!!
I think that im goign to have to start watching how much my girl eats too. She seems to be getting a little on the chubby side also haha!
But I dont know if they should have taken his dog away =( Maybe they should have tried to help him in some way. Or show him what he was doing wrong.
Poor dog. Im glad it has a happy ending!