RSPCA: Heavyweight Lab weighed the same as Wayne Rooney
Portly pooch thought to be the country’s fattest dog
The RSPCA is helping what is thought to be the country’s fattest dog to slim down after he came into our care weighing the same as England footballer Wayne Rooney.
Alfie the loveable Labrador was signed over to the RSPCA after his elderly owner kept forgetting he had already fed his pet.
The 12-year-old pooch tipped the scales at an eye-watering 80 kilos (12st 5lbs) when he arrived at the RSPCA’s Leybourne Animal Centre and he was so fat it took four people using towels as slings to lift him.
Christine Dooley, centre manager, said: “He literally could not stand up when he arrived because he was so fat. I have never seen a dog that fat before in my 27 years with the RSPCA, he must be Britain’s fattest pet.
“He was just a massive blob with a leg at each corner.
“He was being fed to death, it’s amazing he was alive given his size. A healthy Labrador weighs about 30 kilos (4stone 7lbs) so poor Alfie was carrying the weight of two Labradors and a Staffie too.”
The lardy Labrador struggled to walk more than few steps and could not even lift his legs a couple of inches into a raised bed in his kennel so staff at the centre made him comfortable with a piece of carpet and blankets on the floor.
The heavyweight hound's neck is so big Alfie wears the same size collar as a St Bernard dog.
He has been put on a carefully calorie controlled diet with two meals a day, weekly weigh-ins and strictly no treats.
His extreme obesity caused him to pant as he struggled to breathe, may have damaged his joints and led to pressure sores on his legs. But since arriving at the centre in March this year (2012) he has already lost 30 kilos (about four and a half stone) – more than half way to his target weight.
Christine added: “When he first came in he couldn’t go on walks because of his size but each day as the weight is coming off he is able to take a few steps further. We have to be careful when staff take him for a walk because if he sits down and refuses to get back up we have to call in extra people to lift him up again.
“We want the weight to come off slowly to give his leg muscles a chance to build up strength and for his skin to shrink. We cannot foster him out yet because he wouldn’t be able to get him into the back of a car.
“He’s such a lovely dog and his tail never stops wagging everyone here has fallen in love with him.”
Once Alfie has reached a manageable weight staff at the centre near Maidstone, Kent, will start looking for a home for him where his owner will need to keep up his healthy diet and gentle exercise regime.
Sadly although Alfie’s obesity is extreme it appears to be a growing problem among dogs. Since 2009 the number of complaints and calls the RSPCA has received about fat, obese and overweight dogs has steadily increased from about 20 a month to more than 30.
RSPCA Inspector Caroline Doe who is based in Kent said over indulging a pet is just as harmful as not feeding them enough.
She added: “Alfie’s case is exceptional, I’ve never seen a dog that big before, but there are lots of dogs out there which are overweight or obese.
“People don’t seem to realise it’s a problem because they think they are showing their pets love by giving them treats and titbits
“In fact in terms of causing suffering, allowing your dog to become extremely obese is just as damaging as starving it and letting it get very skinny."
Studies from various parts of the world estimate that up to about 40 per cent of dogs are overweight or obese. Allowing your pet to become obese can cause severe health problems, which could cut short their life, including:
— Diabetes
— Bone disease
— Heart disease
— Breathing problems
— High blood pressure
— Skin diseases
— Cancers
To check if your dog is a healthy weight you should be able to see and feel the outline of their ribs without excess fat covering them, they should have a waist which is clearly visible from above and their tummy should be tucked-up from the side.
If you think your dog is overweight contact your vet for a health check and if necessary, feeding and exercise advice.
If you would like to help the RSPCA help dogs like Alfie, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message)
Ends
Notes to editors:
— Photos and video footage of Alfie are available on request from the press office
— Interviews with centre manager, Christine Dooley and filming of Alfie can be arranged via the press office
— We will not be releasing information about where Alfie lived before he came into RSPCA care and we have not taken any action against his owner
— The RSPCA received 246 calls mentioning ‘fat, obese or overweight dogs’ to our cruelty and advice lines in 2009, 265 in 2010, 375 in 2011 and for the first six months of 2012 there were 195 calls (which if they continue at that rate will be 390 for the total year).
Alfie factfile:
— Alfie came into the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre on March 5 2012.
— He had been weighed by a vet and was just under 80 kilos (12st 5lbs)
— To reach a healthy weight of 30 kilos (4st 7lbs) he needs to lose a total of 50 kilos (7st 8lbs)
— As of September 12 2012 he weighed 50 kilos (about 7st 8lbs)
— Alfie still has about 20 kilos (about three stone) to lose before he reaches his goal weight
— Alfie is on a special low-calorie dog food diet – two 90g meals a day and no treats
RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
Take the worry out of caring for your pet – the RSPCA My Pet iPhone app has loads of pet care advice, a scrapbook and diary for key dates so you'll never forget a vet appointment again! Find out more by visiting: http://www.rspca.org.uk/in-action/aboutus/stayinformed/iphone
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