Loyal dog waited at hospital for three months after owner died from coronavirus

A loyal dog waited for his owner at a hospital in China for three months unaware that he had died from coronavirus.

The devoted pooch arrived at Taikang Hospital in Wuhan, after his elderly owner was admitted at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in February.

He died five days later but according to hospital cleaner Zhu Youzhen, 65, the seven-year-old mongrel, renamed 'Xiao Bao' (Little Treasure), waited in the lobby for three months.

During that time he was fed by staff until restrictions were lifted in Wuhan on April 13 and he was cared for by shopkeeper Wu Cuifen who ran the hospital's supermarket which was allowed to reopen.

Ms Wu said: "I first noticed the little dog when I returned to work in the middle of April. I called him 'Xiao Bao'. That's the name I gave him.

"They told me Xiao Bao's owner, a pensioner, was admitted with the coronavirus.

"Then he passed away, but Xiao Bao didn't know and just stayed in the hospital looking for him.

"It never left the hospital. It was incredibly touching, and so loyal.

"I grew familiar with the dog and later brought him into the shop.

"Every morning when I opened up, Xiao Bao would be there waiting for me.

"He saw me off at the end of each day."

Ms Wu said Xiao Bao refused to leave and even if he was deliberately dropped him off somewhere far away, he would make his way back to the hospital and patiently wait for his owner to return.

Last week, hospital staff were forced to contact Wuhan Small Animal Protection Association after receiving complaints and concerns about Xiao Bao roaming the corridors.

Xiao Bao was treated by vets at the animal shelter and has also been sterilised as the quest to find him a new home begins.

Wuhan, which is believed to have been the world's coronavirus epicentre, has suffered a death toll of 3,869.