Buddy, the first dog to test positive for COVID-19 in the US, has died - USA TODAY

Allison Mahoney holds a photograph of her seven-year-old German shepherd, Buddy, at her home in Staten Island, New York.

to test positive for the coronavirus.

He was the first pet dog in the United States to test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

After months of being ill, his owners and vet made the difficult decision to euthanize him, according to an exclusive report by National Geographic.

“You tell people that your dog was positive, and they look at you (as if you have) ten heads,” Allison Mahoney told National Geographic.

diagnosed with the coronavirus has died.

“My pet was like my son,” Allison Mahoney told National Geographic.

The Mahoneys told National Geographic they hope to pick up Buddy’s ashes this week