TWO Staffordshire bull terriers were saved from their owner after a diet of cheese and rice-pudding made them so fat they couldn't walk.
RSPCA officers were horrified by the condition of Lucy and Brucie, whose legs buckled under the weight of their "barrel shaped" bodies.
Owner Martin Harrison, 58, from Christchurch, Dorset, allowed the pups to become "grossly obese" and had the animals permanently removed from his care.
Despite admitting to treating the dogs to cakes and doggy treats, he blamed his late mum for their mistreatment.
Harrison said his mum would feed the dogs cheese and rice-pudding despite him repeatedly asking her not to.
He said: "I admit the dogs were overweight but it wasn't my fault because my mother over-fed them. When I hid the dog food she would give them rice pudding and cheese.
"I tried to stop her but it was impossible with her Alzheimer's. You can't watch someone 24 hours a day.
"Now she has died (in November 2018) I can look after the dogs properly.
But the court heard how during the timer Harrison owned the dogs, Brucie nearly doubled in weight, going from a healthy 46lbs to 82lbs.
Lucy's weight increased to 75lbs and she had a chronic ear condition which was also not treated.
Since they were seized in March last year the animals were put on a diet and now weigh about 50lbs each.
Both dogs have been permanently confiscated fro Harrison, after magistrates made a deprivation order at Poole Magistrates' Court.
He was also fined and has been disqualified from owning or keeping animals for two years.
Jeremy Lake, prosecuting, said: "Both dogs were grossly obese and barrel-like when they were seized under the Animal Welfare Act.
"Brucie was panting constantly and laying down in the consulting room and had fatty deposits around his neck and back.
"Lucy was also overweight and she had a chronic ear disease caused over a long term which caused suffering in the dog that a responsible and competent owner would not have allowed."
The court heard that Harrison, who lived with is mother, bought Brucie and Lucy on Gumtree in November 2014.
The RSPCA was first alerted to their condition in December 2016 following a tip off from a member of the public and Harrison was visited by an an inspector and given advice on how to reduce their weight.
However, when he was visited again in January 2018 the inspector discovered both Brucie and Lucy had got even heavier.
Harrison was given a final warning by the RSPCA and two months later, following an independent vet's report expressing concerns about their 'suffering', they were seized under the Animal Welfare Act on March 28.
Since both dogs were placed into the care of an animal rescue, Lucy's ear has been operated on and their weights have returned to normal levels.
RSPCA inspector Tina Ward said: "Both dogs were grossly overweight and it was going to do long term damage to their health.
"After a couple of minutes they would lay on the floor panting and they didn't have any energy.
"Now, they are lovely dogs full of energy who love to run around and play ball."
She stopped in January 2018, after which time the dogs began slimming down after he ordered a special weight loss food product for them on the internet.
Harrison, who has various chronic health issues, said he could not afford to take Lucy to the vets for a period of time, blaming former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith for stopping his benefits.
"Once I knew about the special dog food to help weight loss their weight started coming down.
"Any missed vet appointments can be blamed on Iain Duncan Smith. My benefits were stopped and I had no money to take Lucy to the vets.
"My dogs are my children. I miss them like crazy and I just want them back. I've got no one else."
Harrison was found guilty of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to his pets by not providing them with a healthy diet under the Animal Welfare Act (2006).
He was also found guilty of one count of failing to provide veterinary care for a severe ear disease under the same act.
Magistrates said Harrison had failed in his responsibility to prevent his dogs becoming 'severely overweight'.
Chairman Colin Westom said: "As the owner of these two dogs they were your responsibility to care for them and that included their weight.
"We accept the situation with your mother having dementia was very difficult and you couldn't watch her 24 hours a day but the fact remains these dogs remained severely overweight despite several warnings from the RSPCA and the advice they gave you about managing this.
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"You frequently missed vets appointments over a long period and the ear remained unchecked when it was a significant disease that would have been clearly visible.
"Your two dogs will not be returned to you as you have a long history of failing to care appropriately for them."
Harrison was also fined £150, given a £30 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £100 in costs.
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