Lewis Hamilton has announced that his dog Roscoe has died following a serious illness. The bulldog was 12 years old and had been hospitalized with pneumonia.
In a statement on Instagram, Hamilton said Roscoe had been placed in a coma and kept alive on life support for four days before he made what he called “the hardest decision of my life” to let him go. He confirmed Roscoe died on Sunday evening in his arms.
Hamilton said he had never been in the position of having to put down a pet before, noting he also lost another bulldog, Coco, in 2020.
“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.
“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.”
Lewis added: “Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown Roscoe over the years. It has been so special to witness and feel. He died on Sunday evening, 28th September in my arms.”
Roscoe’s role in Formula 1
Roscoe was a familiar presence in the Formula 1 paddock for years, regularly appearing alongside Hamilton during race weekends and media events. The dog’s Instagram account grew to more than 1.4 million followers.
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