New York: A German shepherd, ‘Buddy’, which was the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection in a pet dog in the US has died here, according to a report.
In June, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) had announced the dog being the first pet in the US testing positive for the virus SARS-CoV-2 behind the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the dog showing signs, one of its owners, Robert Mahoney, had tested positive for COVID-19, and another had symptoms consistent with the virus.
The owners told National Geographic that Buddy developed breathing problems in mid-April after Mahoney had been sick with the novel coronavirus for several weeks.
According to the USDA, there is currently no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the coronavirus. (PTI)