KEY POINTS

  • Its 78-year-old owner was taken to a hospital for treatment
  • The dog was taken to a stray animal shelter
  • It became stressed due to separation from its owner, and died 12 days later

A dog in China, which was credited with saving the life of its owner after he had a stroke, died days later at an animal shelter due to separation anxiety as its master was at a hospital undergoing treatment.

The dog's 78-year-old owner, who was identified only as Yang, had suffered a stroke at his apartment in Hangzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province. Upon seeing its master in distress, the dog named Awang started barking in a way as if it was trying to alert the neighbors that something was wrong, according to South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The concerned neighbors then rushed to Yang's apartment and called the police after nobody answered the door despite repeated knocking. The officers arrived and broke into the apartment where they saw Yang was pinned to the ground under a fallen chair and in need of urgent medical attention.

Local police officer Shen Jianhuan told SCMP that Awang, a 9-year-old mix of golden retriever and Labrador, has been under the care of Yang ever since it was just a pup. It is normally quiet, but that day the dog had barked continuously and uncontrollably after sensing Yang was not well.

Jianhuan said after some words of reassurance from the deputies, it became quiet. "We said to the dog, 'We're here to save your owner.' He seemed to understand and lay down quietly," Shen told SCMP.

Yang was rushed to a hospital and, in the meantime, Awang was sent to a stray dog shelter by community workers. It was kept inside a cage at the facility and refused food or drink as it wasn't able to see its owner and eventually died on Dec. 2, the shelter's manager, Jin, was quoted as saying by VN Explorer.

Yang had suffered from the stroke 12 days before Awang died at the shelter.

"We know that this dog saved his owner, just like any person saving another," said Jin, suggesting that Awang was paid extra attention due to its bravery.

Jin said that the dog sadly passed away as it became stressed after being displaced from its home after Yang's stroke.

Representative image (dog)
Representative image (Source: Pixabay / pohjakroon)