Too fat dog returns to its owners

Two brothers convicted of allowing their pet Labrador to get too fat have been given the dog back.

Saddler Derek Benton, 62, and brother, David, 53, a crane driver, were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog after a trial in Ely, Cambs.

RSPCA officials seized pet Rusty 10 months ago when she weighed 11 stone.

Magistrates gave them a conditional discharge but said Rusty could be returned to their home in Fordham if she was properly fed and cared for.

Vets had been concerned that she had put on too much weight and this would affect her health.

She was unable to walk far and had trouble with her legs.

David Benton said he and his brother had collected Rusty from the RSPCA on Friday evening.

"The first thing I did was take her for a walk, then she settled down for a sleep in front of the fire," he said. "It's great to have her back."

The brothers had denied mistreating the dog and said they were "flabbergasted" when prosecuted.

RSPCA inspectors said they planned to monitor the dog to ensure that its weight did not balloon again.