‘World’s oldest ever canine’ has Guinness World Document title suspended as declare investigated

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The ‘world’s oldest ever dog’ has had his title suspended as his proprietor’s claims about his age are investigated by officers.

Bobi the Portuguese mastiff was supposedly 31 years old when he died in in October after being awarded the title in February final yr.

Not solely Bobi topped the oldest dog alive on the time, he was additionally deemed to be the oldest dog that had ever lived, beating out an Australian cattle dog referred to as Bluey, who lived 29 years and 5 months earlier than his demise in 1939.

Bobi’s age got here beneath scrutiny quickly after he was topped by Guinness World Records, with many questioning the distinction in Bobi’s paws over the years and whereas genetic testing confirmed the pup was elderly, it didn’t decide an actual age.

In December, an investigative article from Wired re-sparked the hypothesis over Bobi’s actual age – which is the equivalant to 200 human years – with details about official data coming to mild.

Now, Guinness World Records have suspended the dog’s title. A spokesperson stated: “While our review is ongoing we have decided to temporarily pause both the record titles for Oldest dog living and ever just until all of our findings are in place.”

According to the report in Wired, SIAC – a Portuguese authorities database for the registration of cats, dogs, and ferrets – does certainly have Bobi’s data registered.

However, an official stated that whereas Bobi’s homeowners declared he had been born in 1992, that they had “no registration or data that can confirm or deny this statement.”

Experts have additionally forged doubts over Bobi’s legitimacy. Danny Chambers, a vet and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons beforehand instructed The Guardian that “not a single one of my veterinary colleagues believe Bobi was actually 31 years old”.

Several vets have been additionally consulted within the investigative article, with one saying Bobi’s coat appeared to vary between pink and brown in some pictures and one other casting doubt on how he had been capable of stay so lengthy when he seemed to be obese.

The Guinness World Records instructed The Independent that the investigation remains to be ongoing and the title elimination is non permanent till the overview has been accomplished.

At the time he was bequeathed his title, Bobi was described as a relaxed and sociable pet who enjoys enjoyable by the hearth on notably chilly days.

The canine’s proprietor, Leonel Costa, stated: “Bobi has been a warrior for all these years, only he knows how he’s been holding on – it must not be easy because the average dog’s life span is not that high.

“If he spoke only he could explain this success.”