Chubby Corgi sheds six stone after owner nearly killed him 'with kindness'

An overweight dog has shed six stones in a year after its Earlston owner was told she was "killing it with kindness".

Tyko, a cross-breed Corgi, was so fat he could only take a couple of steps before being breathless and slumping to the ground.

He was taken into care by the animal welfare charity, Scottish SPCA, who immediately put him on a strict diet. He now weighs 12kg, losing 37 kgs.

A neighbour had tipped off the Scottish SPCA, after Tyko's weight had ballooned to double his normal size due to over-feeding and a lack of exercise. They are now looking for a new home for the Corgi.

Former owner, Denise Leitch, was admonished at Selkirk Sheriff Court after being of good behaviour during a year-long period of deferredsentence.

The 60-year-old had bought the dog as a Christmas present for her husband, but was responsible for it.

She pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to produce treatment for a morbidly obese dog, and admitted causing Tyko unnecessary suffering at her home in Gunn Road, Earlston, between the 1st of April and 13th of October last year.

The court heard that a Scottish SPCA officer told Leitch she had been "killing the dog with kindness."

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre accepted it was not a normal case of maltreating an animal.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment, a fine of £20,000 or a disqualification from owning animals.

Defence lawyer Natalie Paterson said that Tyko had been "freaked out" by a nearby firework display last year and rarely ventured out to exercise.

The Scottish SPCA said Tyko will now need medication for a thyroid problem for the rest of his life.