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Lewis Hamilton has announced the heartbreaking death of his bulldog, Roscoe, after the dog battled pneumonia for the second time this year. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion revealed that Roscoe, who had been on life support for four days, died on Sunday evening in his arms.
The 40-year-old driver first shared news of Roscoe's condition last week, explaining to fans that his dog had been rushed to hospital after struggling to breathe. "Roscoe caught pneumonia again and was struggling to breathe," Hamilton wrote at the time. "He was admitted into hospital and sedated to calm him while they did checks on him and during the process his heart stopped. They managed to get a heartbeat back and now he's in a coma. We don't know whether he will wake from this. Tomorrow we'll try to wake him up. I'm by his side and want to thank you all for your prayers and support."
Despite hopes that Roscoe might recover, Hamilton later confirmed the devastating outcome. "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 said. "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, an 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."
Hamilton added that the loss was one of the most difficult experiences of his life. "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 pet. 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."
Roscoe had been a constant companion to Hamilton since 2013, often seen in the F1 paddock and even joining the Briton at fan events and podium celebrations. He became a fan favourite with his own Instagram account boasting 1.3 million followers.
Confirming the date, Hamilton wrote: "He died on Sunday evening, 28th September in my arms."
Formula 1 also paid tribute to Roscoe, describing him as "a true star in his own right" who "brought smiles to the paddock and warmed the hearts of fans all over the world."
