Man dies of heart attack over stolen dog

A 77-year-old who devoted entire days and nights to searching for his missing dog has died – and it’s thought that heartbreak may have been the cause.

Vladimir never found the dog before his death
(Picture: Will Stewart/Noah’s Ark/Noyev Kovcheg)

According to Metro.co.uk, Vladimir Davydov claimed that German Shepherd Yan was stolen back in February – and devoted his days to tracking down the animal in Bratsk, Siberia.

He described the nine-year-old animal as his ‘only friend in this life’ – and even wandered around in -15c temperatures in the hope of tracking the animal.

But Vladimir tragically died of a heart attack on April 1 without ever tracking down the animal.

Vladimir always maintained that Yan had been stolen, and even recalled how the dog disappeared as he filed paperwork after being sacked from his job as a night watchman after suffering a thigh injury.

He said: ‘Suddenly I heard my boy whining.

‘By the time I reached the gate on my crutch, he was no longer there. I saw only a blue car disappearing.

‘I ask God, let them give me back my dog.’

But one of the volunteers who helped Vladimir, Daria Tatarninoka, has now launched an inspired social media campaign to raise funds for his funeral.

She wrote: ‘Dear members of the group. Our old man has died. The one about whom we worried most of all, Vladimir Davydov. The one whom we helped all together to search for his friend Yan. I think it is our common case – to help with his funeral.’

Over £830 has now been raised for Vladimir’s funeral.

Daria added: ‘I didn’t think people would respond so well but they are emotional over this situation.’

Punch