Weight of an overweight sausage dog known as “Fat Vincent”, was handed in to Harris County Animal Shelter in September last year after his owner died. The hound is believed to have been on an diet consisting exclusively of fast-food prior to his arrival at the shelter.

months of dieting, long walks and water aerobics later, and “Fat Vincent” has since lost more than nine kilograms and is now referred to as “Skinny Vinnie”. A representative of Houston dog rescue group K-9 Angels Rescue, Mary Tipton, took it upon herself to foster the dog and help restore him to peak condition.

In 2014, the percentage of dogs in the US that were found to be obese, while 36 percent were classified as overweight, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.