Fat pet dog trial is adjourned

A defence request was accepted and the trial of Derek Benton, 62, and brother David, 53, before Ely magistrates will hear more submissions when it resumes.

The pair deny failing to stop the Labrador's weight soaring to more than 11 stone and causing suffering.

It was claimed nine-year-old Rusty was so fat he looked like a walrus.

The court was told the brothers, from Fordham in Cambridgeshire, had ignored vet's advice on ways to deal with the dog's condition.

Problem with weight

Stephen Climie, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said Rusty was "hugely and grossly" overweight when seen by the RSPCA in February.

"The dog could not walk a few steps before having to sit," said Mr Climie. "He certainly collapsed if he was kept standing."

Mr Climie said the dog, which had a long-standing hip complaint, also suffered pain in its joints and had difficulty breathing.

Rusty has now lost three and half stones under RSPCA care.

David Benton said that he and his brother had done their best for the dog but even as a puppy it had had a problem with putting on weight.

The pair said they had put the dog on a diet but that did not seem to work and after it developed a problem with its hip, the dog would not go out of the house.

That meant it could take no exercise and that led to more of a weight problem, the court heard.

The prosecution admitted the pair did not act maliciously towards the dog but they had shown lack of care for its health.

This was confirmed when they treated an ear infection themselves rather than take the animal to a vet, the court heard.

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