PET owners in East Lancashire are being urged not to overfeed their animals after figures revealed an increase in dog obesity.

The statistics, released by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) yesterday, show that the number of obese dogs in the North West rose from 24 per cent in 2006 to 34 per cent last year – an increase of 10 per cent.

Neil Martin, general manager at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, in Edenfield, said that he had noticed the problem getting worse.

And he blamed irresponsible pet owners for overfeeding their dogs.

He said: “As there is an increase in the number of obese humans we are also seeing the same thing in animals, because they will eat whatever their owners give them.

"The problem is that many consider it an act of love to overfeed animals.

“But if you overfeed a dog it will just keep on eating because that is what it’s programmed to do.

“What we find is that there is anthropomorphisation, people treating animals like humans.

"Our digestive systems have evolved, so we can eat things like curries and cream sauces but they are not good for dogs.”

Over the last four years, the PDSA has assessed the weight and general health of nearly 30,000 canine companions across the UK.

The national figures show that 35 per cent of the UK’s dogs are overweight.

The percentage of overweight dogs seen has risen from around one-in five to more than one-in-three.

Should the next four years follow the same trend, then by 2013 nearly 50 per cent of UK dogs could be overweight.

In an attempt to prevent the problem worsening the charity is re-launching its annual pet slimming competition – PDSA Pet Fit Club.

It aims to recruit some of the nation’s porkiest pets and help them to slim down.

People should enter their pets at www.pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub by Friday August 27.