A rescue kennel is quickly earning a reputation as the first port of call for overweight dogs.
Last week porky pooch George checked into the Gables Farm in Plymouth after tipping the scales at 70kg.
The massive malmute had ballooned after, his previous owners claimed, their neighbours began throwing pasties and pies over the garden fence.
While the chubby canine has won admirers for his impressive size and the nickname 'Georgie Porgie', it is no laughing matter.
The huge hound must shed 35kg to reach the ideal weight for a dog of his size.
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"All that weight is a big strain on his heart, organs and joints," explained Ruth Rickards, deputy manager at the kennels.
"He already has a really sore leg."
George has been placed on a strict diet consisting of specialist dog food that costs around £100 a month.
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If he stays off the pasties and follows an exercise regime that has Ruth walking him in the early and late hours to avoid the sun, it is hoped George will be suitably svelte in nine months time.
The dog handler continued: "It takes quite a long time to help a dog properly, but we have to do it otherwise he could die.
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"We have to get George eating properly. There is always a bit of resistance to begin with, especially with the ones which have eaten things like burgers.
"I mixed a special bit of chicken in with his food so he'd eat it.
"He's already lost half a kilo in a week."
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While George is the heaviest dog to stay at Gables, he is not the first with a weight problem.
Other chunky characters include 'Bopper the Whopper' and 'Hattie the Fatty'.
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George is 20kg (3st) heavier than Bopper was when he arrived and 30kg (4st 7lbs) heavier than Hattie.
The portly pair lost about 27kg (4st 2lbs) between them at the shelter and Hattie was recently rehomed.
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Ruth said “Each time we have an obese animal come into our care we think it is the biggest we will ever see; and then along comes an even fatter one.
"We are so proud of the work we do here and dogs like Georgie Porgie help to remind us of what it means to be a true non-euthanasia charity.”
Somewhat problematically the better known Gables becomes for looking after overweight dogs, the more people turn to them for their slimming expertise.
"As soon as there is a fat dog people start thinking 'oh let's ring Gables, they can do a good job,' Ruth said.
"It’s just heart breaking because it is so easy to prevent; but we will build on our previous success and get him slimmed down."
As for the veracity of the pies and pasties over the fence claim, she added: "I have never heard of someone throwing pies and pasties over the fence before.
"That's what we have been told. I cannot comment on how true that is."
