Painfully skinny dog devours a bowl of food in 15 seconds after being rescued from owners who said they had put it on a diet after being told it was ‘too fat’
- One-year-old cross-breed Sazzle found in ‘shocking state’ of skin and bones
- Seen demolishing first bowl of food in 15 seconds flat in RSPCA video
- Owners from Portsmouth banned from keeping animals for three years
- ‘Hard to believe he’s a Staffordshire bull terrier-labrador cross’ says rescuer
Shocking footage shows the moment a deprived dog eats its first bowl of food after being rescued – demolishing the food in just 15 seconds.
Cross-breed Sazzle was rescued from a Hampshire home after they were found in a ‘shocking state’.
The footage shows one-year-old dog wolf the down food while his ribs are clearly visible through his tiny body.
He is so desperate to eat the food that his snout pushes the bowl across the floor as a carer holds him tightly by a leash.
RSPCA inspectors rescued the Sazzle and a Terrier called Leggs from the home of married couple Jason Bowditch, 43, and Samantha Rees-Bowditch, 44, from Portsmouth, Hants.
When asked how the dogs had ended up in such a poor state, Rees-Bowditch claimed the family had been advised the animals were ‘too fat’ and they ‘had to put them on a diet’.
Cross-breed Sazzle looks desperate to eat some food as a carer holds him back on a leash for a couple of seconds
After an RSPCA worker has put the food down the one-year-old begins to devour his first proper meal for probably quite some time
Appearing at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, they were given a three-year disqualification from keeping animals after admitting failing to maintain the dogs needs. They were also ordered to pay £400 in fines.
The pair were visited by the RSPCA in August 2018 after the animal welfare charity had been contacted by a concerned member of the public who had seen one of the couple’s emaciated dogs.
RSPCA Inspector Charlotte Coggins, who investigated, said: ‘This was a frustrating and saddening case where these two dogs were left without the care they desperately needed.
Shocking footage shows the pup’s ribcage is clearly visible through his fur and skin
‘It was hard to believe he is a Staffordshire bull terrier crossed with a labrador,’ said RSPCA Inspector Charlotte Coggins
‘Sazzle was in a shocking condition when we first saw him with every bone showing.
‘It was hard to believe he is a Staffordshire bull terrier crossed with a labrador.
‘Veterinary examination found no medical reason for the weight loss and they increased in weight simply from being provided with an adequate diet.
‘It would have been obvious to anyone looking at both these dogs that they were desperately thin and in urgent need.
In 15 seconds flat Sazzle finishes the bowl in front of him, and is probably ready for a second helping
‘Those who own animals have a responsibility to look after them and ensure their needs are met – it’s never acceptable to just sit back and watch animals starve.
‘Thankfully, both Sazzle and Leggs have recovered and are now happy and healthy after gaining weight and condition.’
The couple were deprived of ownership of Sazzle and Leggs, who will soon be found new homes.