In a surprising turn of events, Guinness World Records has temporarily suspended the title of the oldest living dog and oldest dog ever, previously held by the Portuguese mastiff named Bobi. The organization has launched an investigation into the mounting doubts surrounding Bobi's true age, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Bobi, who passed away at the ripe age of 31 years and 165 days in October 2023, was initially hailed as the world's oldest dog, leading to widespread mourning. However, after his death, questions began to arise regarding the authenticity of his age. Several individuals alleged that photographs from the 1990s showed Bobi with lighter fur on his paws, as reported by The Guardian. Furthermore, some claimed that Bobi was both purebred and overweight, factors that may have potentially shortened his lifespan, according to Euronews.

Responding to these allegations, Guinness World Records has taken the precautionary step of suspending Bobi's title during the investigation. The organization has also decided to halt the consideration of other candidates for record-breaking dog ages pending the outcome of this review. The investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding Bobi's age and determine whether there is evidence to substantiate the claims made about him.

The registration of Bobi in the national pet database was based on the information provided by his owner, Leonel Costa, as stated by The Guardian. Although genetic testing cannot definitively prove Bobi's age, it can confirm that he was indeed a remarkably old dog, according to the same source.

As doubts continue to swirl, veterinary professionals emphasize the importance of irrefutable evidence to support extraordinary claims. Danny Chambers, a veterinarian and council member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, explains that publishing concrete evidence is crucial for the credibility and authority of Guinness World Records in the eyes of the veterinary profession, as reported by The Guardian.

Meanwhile, Leonel Costa stands by his claim of Bobi's age, maintaining that his dog's good health was a result of consuming human food, The Guardian mentioned. Additionally, Costa asserts that Bobi was never leashed and lived in a rural environment, as reported by Euronews.

Guinness World Records has estimated that the review of Bobi's case will take no longer than three months to complete. During this time, the organization will thoroughly investigate the evidence and evaluate the veracity of the claims surrounding Bobi's remarkable age.

The world will eagerly await the outcome of this investigation, eager for a clear resolution to the controversy surrounding the world's oldest dog.