Scooter, the smallest dog, dies

Wellington, Sep 4 (ANI): Claimed to be the smallest dog in the world, Scooter has died at the age of six-months.

The tiny wonder reacted badly to medication, after he broke his leg jumping out of the hands of a minder earlier this week.

The Maltese pup was to try for the official world record upon turning one.

Doctors treating the pup had put his tiny leg in a cast, but the medication he was given for it caused stomach ulcers and he did not survive.

It is claimed that the vets caring for Scooter took him home with them while he was being treated, and even used to get up in the middle of the night to check on him.

"They were amazing, they tried so hard," Stuff.co.nz quoted owner Cheryl McKnight as saying.

The 8cm tall, 20cm long, pooch is now buried in his shoebox at the bottom of his owner's Gisborne garden.

McKnight said that she would miss him immensely.

"He was a big part of my life."

Scooter came from a litter of three and stopped growing before he reached two months.

His weight never exceeded 400 grams, and achieved global fame in his short life, with his picture published in Switzerland, Malaysia, America, Australia, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. (ANI)