The first ever dog to test positive for coronavirus in the US has died.
The seven-year-old German shepherd named Buddy from Staten Island in New York, passed away after a three-month illness battle.
Two vets, who had not treated Buddy, but reviewed his medical records for National Geographic, told the publication that the dog probably had cancer.
It is unclear if Buddy died from complications connected to the killer virus or lymphoma he may have had, National Geographic reports.
The magazine reported: "It's unclear whether cancer made him more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus, or if the virus made him ill, or if it was just a case of coincidental timing."
Buddy's owner Robert Mahoney tested positive for Covid-19 in the spring and when the dog fell ill in April he suspected he had the virus too.
However it wasn't until mid-May that the family found a vet who was prepared to test him.
The test confirmed Buddy was infected with the virus.
Mr Mahoney's wife Allison told the National Geographic: "You tell people that your dog was positive, and they look at you (as if you have) ten heads."
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