Alistair Breed has reported the case to the World Organisation for Animal Health, after the animal – which died from other causes in early July – tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in tests carried out post-mortem.
The dog had other underlying health conditions which are likely to have made it ill.
Mr Breed said: ‘It is sad when a beloved pet is lost in any circumstances and, although this dog tested positive for Covid-19 virus, it died from other causes. It is extremely rare to find the Covid-19 virus in a dog. However, it is not unknown.
‘This is an isolated incident. The pet came from a household where there was a person who had Covid-19 and there has been a very small number of reports of Covid-19 virus being found in dogs in other countries in similar circumstances.’
He said there was ‘no evidence’ that pets transmitted the disease to humans and added that it was safe to keep them in the home. He added: ‘In line with the general advice on preventing infection, you should wash your hands regularly, including before and after contact with animals. Please get in touch with your private vet if you have any concerns about the welfare or health of your pets. There is no change to public-health risk as a result of this case.’
