Podgy Pongo is slimming champion

Pongo, aged seven, from Rochester, Kent was put on a strict regime of daily two-hour walks and banned from eating his favourite treat of pigs' ears.

"I wanted him to have a healthier lifestyle," said owner Roy Goodall, 35.

Pongo was one of 10 podgy pets who joined a People's Dispensary for Sick Animals(PDSA) Pet Fit Club.

Skinny puppy

The 100-day diet and fitness programme was overseen by PDSA vets, who weighed Pongo in at a starting weight of 88lb (40.1kg).

Runner-up in the competition was Suzie, an eight-year-old King Charles Cavalier from Gillingham, Kent, which started at 27lb (12.3kg) and lost 7lb (3.15kg).

Pongo was a skinny puppy when the Goodall family found him at a rescue centre when he was three months old.

But a few years on, his middle-aged spread led to joint problems.

"I hope our success story will inspire anyone else with overweight pets to help them slim down," said Mr Goodall.

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