This is such ‘ruff news.

A German shepherd in Staten Island who was the very first doggy to exam positive for the coronavirus has died, the first fatality of its sort, according to a report on Wednesday.

Seven-12 months-outdated Buddy started suffering from issues with his breathing in mid-April, not very long immediately after his operator, Robert Mahoney, contracted COVID-19, Nationwide Geographic reported.

From April 21 to May perhaps 15, the pooch ongoing to reduce fat and grew to become more and more lethargic.

His owners took him to veterinarians who gave him medication, but had been uncertain he experienced the virus.

He was last but not least tested May possibly 15, a thirty day period immediately after his signs or symptoms emerged, at Bay Street Animal Healthcare facility in Rosebank.

His examination came back good, and the results ended up later on verified by the New York City Department of Well being, in accordance to the journal.

Buddy died on July 11.

Professional medical information reviewed by the magazine suggest that the pup probable also had lymphoma, a sort of most cancers.

In accordance to Nationwide Geographic: “It’s unclear no matter whether cancer made him a lot more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus, or if the virus created him unwell, or if it was just a circumstance of coincidental timing.”

Buddy was a single of much less than 25 animals in the place who have tested favourable for the virus.

“You notify people that your canine was optimistic, and they look at you [as if you have] 10 heads,” 1 of his owners, Allison Mahoney, told the mag.

“[Buddy] was the love of our lives….He brought joy to everyone. I simply cannot wrap my head close to it.”