The owner of a dog whose ‘oldest ever’ title has been suspended has attacked ‘parasites’ from the veterinary world in a scathing attack on the ‘campaign’ to dethrone his beloved pet.
Portuguese national Leonel Costa said industry figures with a vested interest in selling ‘processed’ pet food had targeted him and his dog for extolling the virtues of human nutrition for his four-legged friend.
Guinness World Records officials have announced a review of Bobi’s award after concerns were raised following his death at the reported age of 31 years and 163 days in October last year.
The purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Some observers have noted that Bobi, a Portuguese dog breed, had white paws in old photos, while they were brown when he died.
Portuguese national Leonel Costa said industry people with a vested interest in selling ‘processed’ pet food targeted him and his dog
Some observers have noted that Bobi had white legs in old photos, while they were brown when he died. The photo is said to show Bobi in 1999
Mr Costa broke his silence in an unqualified attack on the vets and other critics who have cast doubt on the dog’s record age. He said it was a campaign of discredit by vested interests seeking to protect the processed pet food industry.
He said in a statement: ‘Bobi lived a long life by eating natural foods, as well as only essential vaccinations and a lifestyle that ensured longevity.
‘It will therefore be difficult for these people to make it clear to any animal owner that natural food is not recommended.
‘Bobi, like other animals in this world, proves that eating the food they recommend is not a sign of a better quality of life.
‘Being a veterinarian is one of the noblest professions, because thanks to the professionals, our animals can receive the essential care to live a long life by our side.
“Fortunately, not all vets think the same way as the ‘elite’ whose goal is clearly to discredit Bobi’s life.”
Questioning why critics had waited until his dog’s death to cast doubt on his age, he added: “I fully understand that it is difficult for these people to accept that an animal lives for so many years, in conflict with many of their instructions, but I will not allow them to tarnish Bobi’s name and his honorable life. You can attack me, I’m here for you, but I won’t allow it with Bobi.’
Bobi was recorded as the world’s oldest ever dog, with the previous record held by an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939 at 29 years and five months old.
Bobi’s owner Leonel (photo) says he grew up with the dog from the age of eight
Leonel held the farm dog’s final birthday party on May 11 last year in the village of Conqueiros in Portugal’s Leiria district, where he was born.
Local meat and fish were served to more than 100 guests, some of which came from abroad, with a bonus for Bobi.
He was awarded a Guinness World Record title last February for the oldest dog in the world, replacing a Chihuahua living in Ohio, US, who was previously considered the record holder.
Bobi was also recorded as the world’s oldest ever dog, with the previous record held by an Australian cattle dog who died in 1939 at 29 years and five months old.
Leonel, now 38, said he was just eight when his beloved pet was born in an outbuilding where his family stored wood.
He said when Bobi turned ’31’: ‘Bobi has been a warrior all these years, only he knows how to endure, it must not be easy because the average lifespan of a dog is not that high and if he only spoke , he said could explain this success.
“We are very happy and grateful that after 30 years, life allows us to have Bobi in our daily lives.”
At the time, he attributed the animal’s longevity to the “calm, peaceful environment in which it lives, its diet of human food and its freedom.”
A spokeswoman for Guinness World Records confirmed Tuesday that a formal review is underway.
She said: ‘While our review is still ongoing, we have decided to temporarily pause both the record titles for ‘oldest living dog’ and ‘oldest dog ever’ – until all our findings are known.”
Mr Costa and Bobi pose with Guinness World Record certificates in Leiria, Portugal on July 2, 2023
Bobi’s birth was apparently confirmed by the Portuguese government’s pet database.
But research by Wired magazine found he wasn’t registered until 2022 – a year before he died.
The owner of a Lisbon-based pet photography studio revealed the sad news of Bobi’s death on October 21 last year, saying in a social media post alongside a photo of the dog: ‘Rest in peace friend.
“Thank you for having the privilege of meeting you, the oldest dog in the world.”
The post continued: “What an amazing life you have had.”
Danny Chambers, a veterinarian and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, which represents 18,000 veterinarians, told the Guardian shortly after Bobi’s death that “none of my veterinary colleagues believe he was actually 31 years old.”