Dog who ran Evansville Half Marathon unaided dies two weeks later

A DOG who gatecrashed a half-marathon - the first dog to run such an event without human assistance - has died of a heart attack.

A DOG that gatecrashed a half marathon race - recognised as the world's first dog to complete such a race without assistance of a human being - has died two weeks later.

Boogie Butts, a chocolate labrador, had a history of escaping from home when he took part in the Evansville Half Marathon in Indiana.

The 10-year-old dog completed exactly 20.9km of the 21km race in two hours and 15 minutes and was presented with a medal for his amazing feat. He outpaced 1128 registered runners, the Courier Press reported.

The labrador had to be taken to an animal shelter and it was only then that his owner, Jerry Butts, was told of his dog's exploits.

Mr Butts, who said Boogie Butts has escaped from his home the night before, described the dog as "all puppy" at the awards ceremony.

Died of heart attack ... Boogie Butts, a chocolate-coloured labrador, was the first hound to run a half-marathon unaided by a human two weeks ago. Picture: Facebook

Unfortunately Mr Butts has had to announce that Boogie had died two weeks later of a heart attack.

"He loved every minute of the attention," his owner Jerry Butts wrote in a Facebook message to Boogie's fans.

"You know him as the first dog thought to have completed a half marathon unassisted, but to me and my sons, he was our companion, our watchdog, and a member of our family.

"Boogie was a rascal and he went out the way he wanted, by being a little mischievous and not being too shy to soak up the glory."