The owner of a dog claimed to be the world's oldest has launched a scathing attack on "parasites" linked to the veterinary world.
Leonel Costa said he and his dog Bobi were being targeted amid a review by the Guinness World Records into Bobi's age at the time of his death in October last year.
Costa, who lives in Leiria, Portugal, said he was being targeted because he had spoken about the benefits of human food for his four-legged friend.
Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, died at the reported age of 31 and years and 163 days. The breed usually has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Leonel Costa and his dog Bobi
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He said: "Bobi had a long life eating natural food, as well as only essential vaccinations and a lifestyle that provided his longevity. So it becomes difficult for these people to continue to convey to any animal owner that natural food is not advisable.
"Bobi, like other animals in this world, proves that eating the foods they recommend is not a sign of a better quality of life. Being a veterinarian is one of the most noble professions because thanks to its professionals, our animals can have the essential care to live by our side for a long time.
"Fortunately, not all veterinarians think the same way as the 'elite' whose objective is clearly to discredit Bobi's life."
When asked why critics had waited till his dog had died to cast doubt on his age, he said: "I completely understand that it is difficult for these people to accept that an animal lives for so many years, contrary to many of their instructions, but I will not allow them to tarnish Bobi's name and his honorable life.
"You can attack me, I'm here for you, but I won't allow it with Bobi."
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Bobi died in October 2023
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The Guinness World Record title for the oldest dog in the world was awarded to last February, replacing a chihuahua living in Ohio in the USA which had previously regarded as the record-holder.
Bobi's birth was apparently confirmed by the Portuguese government's pet database.
However, an investigation from Wired magazine found that he had only been registered in 2022, a year before he died.
Costa claims he was only eight when his beloved pet was born in an outhouse where his family stored wood.
Bobi and his world record certificates
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A spokeswoman for Guinness World Records confirmed a formal review was ongoing.
She said: "While our review is ongoing we have decided to temporarily pause both the record titles for 'oldest dog living' and 'oldest dog ever' - just until all of our findings are in place."
Vet and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Danny Chambers told The Guardian: "Not a single one of my veterinary colleagues believe he was actually 31 years old."