(09-12-2012, 01:54 PM)TreeClimber Wrote: Ram, as far as I am concerned this is a form of animal abuse. This dog isn't a couple of pounds overweight. He's about 55 lbs overweight.
I think that sometimes people think they are being mean when they control what they feed their dog. They see those sad eyes and think the dog is mad at them. But, really, what is more mean--denying your dog extra treats and people food or over feeding it? This poor dog probably can't even walk around without help.
I always wonder if a person who feeds a dog like this would do the same to a child. No, you wouldn't because it would harm the child. So, you shouldn't do it with your pets either.
Unfortunately there ARE people that would and do feed their children like this and many of them see nothing wrong with it because they're keeping their children happy by giving them everything that they want. Perhaps that's what this dog's owners thought - that they were only trying to keep their dog happy. Mind you, in no way am I condoning this, I think it's terrible what they did to this poor dog. Even if his new owners exercise him and he loses the weight he still may have lasting joint and heart damage from being overweight for so long.