Dachshund Boniface that became world-famous thanks to his ability to swim in a diving suit has died in Vladivostok, Interfax reports.
"Unfortunately, vets could not save the dog. Most likely, he ate something on the street, and it killed him. The dog was completely healthy before, we are all very sorry to have lost him," the owner of the dog, a professional diver and biologist Sergei Gorbunov told the news agency.
Gorbunov directs the diving center at Vladivostok Maritime College. Two years ago, he decided to teach his dog, a Dachshund named Boniface, how to scuba dive. The man designed a special diving suit for the pet. The idea occurred to the man when he saw how nervous the dog was watching divers disappearing under the water. He decided to take his dog with him.
The dog dove with his owner in the pool and even in the open sea. Boniface took part in diving competitions and public actions. Journalists from all over the world wrote about Boniface.
In September of this year, Boniface got into trouble when he was bitten by a poisonous snake, a copperhead. Sergei Gorbunov rushed to rescue a dog with an antidote, GTRK Vladivostok said.