'Oldest' dog dies of heart attack

Bella's owner got her from an RSPCA shelter 26 years ago

A Derbyshire dog thought to be one of the oldest in the world has died.

Mixed-breed Bella lived in Holmgate, near Clay Cross, with her owners David Richardson, 76, and Daisy Cooper, 81.

Mr Richardson got her from an RSPCA animal shelter 26 years ago, but does not have official documents to prove her age.

He said his pet Labrador cross, believed to be more than 27-years-old, died of a heart attack on Saturday on holiday in Lincolnshire.

Lots of people came to see us and to wish Bella goodbye. Our friends and neighbours were very fond of her David Richardson, Bella's owner

Mr Richardson said: "We had just come up to Mablethorpe - we always go to the same place on holiday because we can take the dogs.

"We had barely been here for an hour when Bella started panting and yelping and collapsed in front of the sofa."

Bella was later taken to the vet, but had to be put down.

Mr Richardson said the dog was at least three years old when he bought her.

Buried in yard

"It was very upsetting. We miss her a lot," he said.

She was buried in the couple's back yard.

"Lots of people came to see us and to wish Bella goodbye. Our friends and neighbours were very fond of her," he added.

According to Gareth Deaves, records manager from Guinness World Records, the most recent record for the oldest dog was held by Butch, a 28-year-old from America who died in 2003.

The oldest ever dog was Bluey, a sheepdog from Australia, who lived to 29.