Obese dog at center of custody battle

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PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- An Oregon judge said an obese 70-pound dachshund at the center of a custody battle will remain with his caretaker while legal proceedings continue.

Jenell Rangan, owner of the Oregon Dachshund Rescue, had sought to have Obie the obese dachshund placed in the rescue's care while litigation went forward on her lawsuit against the animal's caretaker, Nora Vanatta, but the judge ruled Monday to keep the canine with Vanatta while the lawsuit goes into arbitration and potentially a trial, KATU-TV, Portland, reported Tuesday.

The parties said the rescue learned Obie was in need of a home a few months ago and Vanatta responded to a Facebook post. A volunteer picked up the canine and brought him to Vanatta's home.

However, Rangan's lawsuit says she is unhappy with the care Vanatta has been giving Obie and he should be returned to the rescue.

Vanatta said Obie has been improving since entering her care and has since lost 15 pounds. She said she expects the dog to continue losing one or two pounds per week until he reaches a healthy weight.