Popular downtown Victoria dog Cody passes away

Cody, the golden retriever who greeted customers at Charmaine’s Past and Present on Fort Street, has died. (Charmaine’s Past and Present/Facebook).

The elderly golden retriever who greeted customers at a used furniture store in downtown Victoria has died.

Charmaine’s Past and Present on Fort Street wrote in a Facebook post on Monday morning that Cody had passed away from old age.

“Thank you so much for all your love for him over the years,” the store’s post said. Cody was 14-years-old when he died.

The dog, who was popular with Victorians and tourists alike, was often seen relaxing on the sidewalk in front of the store. He even had his own hours.

Cody made headlines in May 2016 after owner Charmaine Britton received a warning ticket from Victoria Animal Control for being outside the store, not on a leash. It was the store’s third warning over the years.

WATCH: Taking a nap outside a popular Victoria business spared a huge controversy, but it’s not a person that was sleeping by the shop’s entrance. The business owner received a warning ticket for letting her elderly dog have a snooze on the sidewalk.

The ticket sparked an online backlash as people questioned the bylaw officer’s decision. Cody was brought inside the store, which led to a petition calling for Cody to be allowed to sit outside without a leash.

He was eventually seen outside again.

People are writing condolence messages on Charmaine’s Past and Present’s Facebook post. Many people said they enjoyed passing by Cody when they were downtown. Others described the golden retriever as a sweet dog.

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