Owner of ex ‘world’s oldest dog’ Bobi who’s had title axed claims DOG FOOD giants are behind conspiracy to dethrone him
THE owner of the dog whose “oldest ever” title has been suspended has alleged pet food giants are behind a conspiracy to dethrone his pet.
Much-loved Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, claimed his Guinness World Records crown at the age of 30 years and 268 days in February 2023.
But on Tuesday, Guinness suspended his “world’s oldest dog” title amid an investigation launched into the legitimacy of his age.
The publication said it was reviewing the title after some veterinarians questioned his age.
And now Bobi’s owner Leonel Costa has come up with fresh allegations against pet food businesses.
According to Leonel, top people in the industry are targeting him and his dog because he had promoted a natural diet over processed dog food for his four-legged friend.
He said in a statement: “A campaign of discredit is being fuelled by vested interests bent on safeguarding the processed animal feed business.
“Bobi had a long life eating natural food, as well as only essential vaccinations and a lifestyle that provided his longevity.
“So it becomes difficult for these people to continue to convey to any animal owner that natural food is not advisable.
“Bobi, like other animals in this world, proved that eating the foods they recommend is not a sign of a better quality of life.
“Fortunately, not all veterinarians think the same way as the ‘elite’ whose objective is clearly to discredit Bobi’s life.”
Bobi was born in 1992, according to Leonel.
He lived on a farm in the village of Conqueiros in Portugal with his owner.
The furry head died in October last year at the reported age of 31 years and 163 days – just months after he was crowned the “world’s oldest dog”.
In the aftermath of his death, however, issues have been raised by sceptics questioning the legitimacy of him being the oldest canine ever to live.
Some people noticed that Bobi’s paws in old photos were white, whereas they were brown when he died.
This raised alarms about whether the old photos were even real.
Moreover, while Bobi’s birth was apparently confirmed by the Portuguese government’s pet database, an investigation from Wired magazine found that Bobi had only been registered in 2022 – just a year before he died.
Amid the rising amount of questions about Bobi’s legitimacy, the Guinness World Records suspended his title saying the publication is reviewing the title after some veterinarians questioned his age.
“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,” Guinness World Records told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Shortly after Bobi’s death, Danny Chambers, a vet and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons told The Guardian: “Not a single one of my veterinary colleagues believe he was actually 31 years old.”
However, questioning why critics had waited till his dog had died to cast doubt on his age, Leonel said: “I completely understand that it is difficult for these people to accept that an animal lives for so many years, contrary to many of their instructions.
“But I will not allow them to tarnish Bobi’s name and his honourable life.
“You can attack me, I’m here for you, but I won’t allow it with Bobi.”
In an emailed statement, Costa defended Bobi’s title, saying Guinness World Records had spent a year checking the record claim.
He said he has earned no money from the record and hasn’t heard from the publication about the latest allegations.
