AceShowbiz -

A soap opera actor had claimed his own life out of grief for his dog. Nick Santino, a struggling actor who has appeared on seven episodes of "All My Children" and six episodes of "Guiding Light", was found lifeless in his apartment bedroom on Wednesday, January 25 afternoon.

Santino, who overdosed on pills, left a suicide note that stated his reason of ending his own life. "Today I betrayed my best friend and put down my best friend. Rocco trusted me and I failed him. He didn't deserve this," the actor wrote. He called an ex-girlfriend at 2 A.M. that day.

On Tuesday, which was also his 47th birthday, Santino euthanized his pit bull Rocco after complaints from his Manhattan apartment building. The dog was allowed to be kept inside the building under a set of strict rules but neighbors reportedly complained of its bark and Santino was threatened with a $250 fine. However, a neighbor named Kevan Clearly, said "The dog was not a barker, but somebody complained that the dog would bark."

Santino adopted Rocco from a shelter several years ago. The remains of both pet and owner are to be cremated.