Beagle that was too fat to get up the stairs sheds nearly five stone

Fiona Simpson7 December 2017

A beagle that used to stop halfway up the stairs for a breather because it was too fat shed a third of its body weight to win a pet slimming competition.

Alfie lost more than a third of the weight in just six months, going from a whopping 4st 10lb (30kg) down to just over 3st (20kg).

The dog's new slim figure had given it a new lease of life, owner Emily Simcox, 25, from Middlesbrough, said.

Alfie won the Pet Fit Club competition run by the PDSA vets charity, beating Lola the rabbit, from Derby, that lost almost a quarter of its body weight.

Alfie pictured before losing weight
PA

Ms Simcox took Alfie to her local PDSA for help because her pet looked sad at being overweight.

She said Alfie was fat when adopted five years ago and she admitted giving treats to show she loved her pet, adding: "Those eyes are hard to resist."

She said: "Before, he was sluggish, tired and looked sad a lot of the time.

Alfie had a new lease of life after his weight loss
PA

"He couldn't even walk up the stairs; he'd struggle halfway up and then had to stop for a rest before getting to the top.

"On walks, he would sluggishly walk towards a ball we'd thrown and often wouldn't bother even trying to bring it back.

"But since being on the diet his tail hasn't stopped wagging.

"He leaps and bounds, and is so full of energy."

Alfie's transformation came by sticking to a strict diet and the owner showing tough love by learning to say no when the dog demanded food.

However, like all dieters, the peckish pooch found temptation hard to resist.

"I was making a cheese sandwich and left it on the kitchen counter," his owner said.

"I walked back in the room to find Alfie licking his lips, and the cheese sandwich gone."

PDSA vet nurse Katy Orton, who helped to judge the competition, said up to 40 per cent of cats and dogs in the UK are fat, but help is available.

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