Weight-consciousness has really gone to the dogs in England, where two brothers face charges they allowed their Labrador to get too fat.

ADVERTISEMENT

The dog's owners were charged with animal cruelty for allowing the dog to become grossly overweight. Rusty, a 9-year-old Labrador, ballooned to more than 161 pounds, well over the average 65 pounds to 80 pounds for his breed.

In fact, magistrates at the Ely, Cambridgeshire, hearing were told the dog looked more like a seal, had trouble standing and became breathless after walking just a few yards, the Times of London said Wednesday.

Prosecutors said the brothers were told repeatedly by vets to put the dog on a diet, but had not done so.

David and Derek Benton of Fordham, Cambridgeshire, deny causing their dog to suffer, claiming they fed Rusty dried pet food once during the evening and a snack in the morning. They said the dog has been plump since he was a pup, but wasn't in pain.

Since the dog was removed from the Bentons' care, it has lost nearly 49 pounds.