Lewis Hamilton said he has ‘lost his best friend’ after confirming he has had his beloved dog Roscoe put down in an emotional statement.
The Ferrari star said he had made the painful decision to put his beloved dog to sleep after Roscoe had been on life support for four days.
The English Bulldog had routinely accompanied the seven-time world champion on the Formula One circuit and built a vast fanbase.
Over 1.4million people followed an Instagram account dedicated to Roscoe, which features a biography stating ‘I’m a vegan bulldog that loves to travel, play ball and get attention from all the girls.’
Roscoe was taken into hospital last week after contracting pneumonia.
The canine’s condition had worsened with Hamilton revealing Roscoe’s heart had stopped when he was sedated last week. His heart was restarted with Hamilton appealing to fans to keep Roscoe in their thoughts when he announced the bulldog was in a coma.
Hamilton shared an emotional statement on social media confirming Roscoe’s death at the age of 12, with the star sharing photos of their pair together.
“After four days on life support, fighting with every bit of strength he had, I had to make the hardest decision of my life and say goodbye to Roscoe.
He never stopped fighting, right until the very end. I feel so grateful and honoured to have shared my life with such a beautiful soul, and angel and true friend.
Bringing Roscoe into my life was the best decision I ever made, and I will forever cherish the memories we created together. Although I lost Coco, I have never been faced with putting a dog to sleep before, though I know my mum and many close friends have. It is one of the most painful experiences and I feel a deep connection to everyone who has gone through the loss of a beloved. Although it was so hard, having him was one of the most beautiful parts of life, to love so deeply and to be loved in return.
Thank you all for the love and support you have shown Roscoe over the years. It has been so special to witness and feel.
He died on Sunday evening, 28th September in my arms” he said.