Family: 1st dog that tested positive for COVID-19 dies in New York

A German shepherd that was the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in a dog in the United States has died in New York.

News 12 Staff

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Jul 31, 2020, 10:07 AM

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Updated 1,364 days ago

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A German shepherd that was the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in a dog in the United States has died in New York.

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The Staten Island family that owned Buddy tells National Geographic the 7-year-old shepherd developed breathing problems in mid-April after a family member had been sick with COVID-19.

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A veterinarian tested Buddy in May and found him positive for the virus.

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The dog was euthanized on July 11 after his health had severely declined. Blood tests indicated Buddy had cancer.

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It's unknown if the coronavirus played a role in his illness.

AP wire services helped contribute to this report.