When animal inspectors walked into a home in South Auckland in 2021, they were braced for the kind of cases they usually see: underfed, neglected animals. What they found instead was a dog so overweight he could barely walk.
Found at 118 Pounds
The dog, a brown crossbreed named Nuggi, came to the attention of authorities in October 2021, when police carried out a search warrant at his owner’s property in Manurewa, Auckland. Several dogs were removed that day, and Nuggi was taken to the SPCA’s Māngere Centre, where a vet found he weighed 53.7 kilograms, about 118 pounds.
He was so obese that the vet couldn’t hear his heart through a stethoscope, as the fat muffled the sound. Nuggi also had conjunctivitis and sores. Animal control officers reported that he had to stop three times to catch his breath on the 10-meter walk from the property to the rescue car.
“Easily One of the Most Obese Animals”
SPCA Chief Executive Todd Westwood said the case came as “a huge shock” to inspectors used to dealing with underweight animals, calling Nuggi “easily one of the most obese animals we’ve ever encountered.”
His owner told inspectors she fed him eight to 10 pieces of chicken a day on top of dog biscuits.
The Sentence
The woman pleaded guilty to failing to meet Nuggi’s physical, health and behavioral needs. In July 2024, the Manukau District Court sentenced her to two months in prison, ordered her to pay NZ$1,222.15 in reparations and banned her from owning dogs for 12 months.
What Happened to Nuggi
Nuggi spent about two months in the SPCA’s care, where he lost 8.9 kilograms, around 16.5 percent of his body weight. Sadly, he didn’t recover: a necropsy found he had liver disease and Cushing’s disease, and he died after a mass on his liver ruptured and caused internal bleeding.
A Warning About Overfeeding
Westwood said part of being a responsible owner is providing an appropriate diet and daily exercise, and that Nuggi was drastically overfed until he could barely walk. Obesity can lead to joint pain, breathing trouble and other serious problems in dogs. If you’re worried about your dog’s weight, a vet can recommend a safe plan.
Keeping Your Dog at a Healthy Weight
A few steps can help prevent weight problems:
- Measure meals. Use a scale or measuring cup, and follow the dog food feeding guide for your pet’s weight.
- Limit treats. Many vets suggest keeping treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories.
- Exercise daily. A dog walking service or fitness tracker for dogs can help busy owners.
- Visit the vet regularly. Compare pet insurance plans that cover wellness exams and chronic conditions.
- Ask about weight-management diets. Prescription weight-loss dog food is available through vets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Nuggi? Nuggi, a dog in Auckland, New Zealand, was taken from his owner in 2021 at about 118 pounds, and died two months later while in SPCA care.
What was his owner sentenced to? She was sentenced to two months in prison, ordered to pay NZ$1,222.15 in reparations and banned from owning dogs for 12 months.
How much chicken was he fed? The owner told inspectors she fed him eight to 10 pieces of chicken a day on top of dog biscuits.
What health problems did Nuggi have? He had liver disease and Cushing’s disease, according to a necropsy, along with conjunctivitis.
Sources: SPCA New Zealand, 1News, NZ Herald via Business Report, and Scoop, all covering the July 2024 sentencing of an Auckland woman over the death of her severely obese dog, Nuggi.
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