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Heartbroken Soldier Breaks Down In Tears As Military Dog Is Put To Sleep

Heartbroken Soldier Breaks Down In Tears As Military Dog Is Put To Sleep

The two-year-old dog had to be put down following a battle with bone cancer

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A heartbroken soldier burst into tears as he prepared to say his final goodbye to his terminally ill military working dog.

The emotional scene was caught on camera in China, and shows handler Ye Huaibin kneeling down to be near two-year-old Labrador Wu Yi who had to be put to sleep following a battle with a severe form of bone cancer.

In the clip Huaibin begs medics to let him stay beside the dog during the operation, but is removed by a couple of fellow servicemen.

The touching moment was shown on state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday, which shared the sad tale behind their relationship.

Huaibin said he first realised something was wrong with his beloved military dog during a training session, after he bit on a ball and then threw up.

Concerned about him being sick, Huaibin looked inside the dog's mouth and spotted a large lump- so he sought advice from a vet and was given the sad news that it was a cancerous tumour.

Over the next eight months, Huaibin travelled to a number of different veterinary clinics to try and boost the pooch's chance of survival, explaining: "I wanted to try and save him no matter what."

He went on to say that as 'long as there was a glimmer of hope' he would continue to seek treatment for the dog.

CCTV/Weibo

And Huaibin was hopeful, saying Wu Yi was a fighter and wanted to live.

He added: "The way it looked at me - it might be hard for you to understand - was a way for us to communicate. It was saying it also wanted to keep on living."

However, even after four operations the dog's health continued to worsen as the cancer spread.

Vets then told Huaibin that the dog couldn't be saved and that the kindest thing to do would be to put him to sleep.

Huaibin added: "I didn't wish him to suffer anymore. I cannot bear it."

The devastated solider was able to spend a last few moments with the dog, before he was put to sleep.

The dog was given a funeral, attended by several soldiers, including Huaibin, who all saluted the dog's tomb when the ceremony ended.

Featured Image Credit: CCTV/Weibo

Topics: World News, Animals, China, soldier