A local dog owner has shared a heartbreaking post to a local dog lovers’ group on social media today, following the sad passing of her Labrador pup due to parvovirus.

The highly contagious virus causes an infectious gastrointestinal illness in puppies and young dogs and can prove deadly.

Christine Sciberras, the owner of the three-month-old puppy, wrote that parvovirus took her dog’s life after just one outing, adding that she was fully vaccinated. “Fly high my little angel, you will be deeply missed,” she lamented.

This comes amidst reports of an unusually high outbreak of the virus, also known as parvo, locally, prompting animal activist Alison Bezzina to share a list of precautions dog owners can take to help safeguard their pets’ health.

Apart from ensuring that your dog is fully vaccinated, she recommends avoiding taking dogs out for walks in the streets, removing shoes when entering the house and washing dogs feet once they’ve been outside. The full list is below.

Let all your dog owner friends know, and keep your four-legged friends safe!