CNN
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The family of Alain Delon, who died at the weekend at the age of 88, has rejected the actor’s request to have his dog euthanized and buried next to him following an outcry in France.
Delon, an icon of French cinema known for his leading roles in “The Leopard” and “Our Story,” died on Sunday.
The French actor had clearly expressed his wish that his beloved Belgian Shepherd Loubo should be buried next to him after his death.
He revealed the unusual request during an interview with Paris Match magazine in 2018, describing Loubo as his “last” dog, whom he loved “like a child”.
“I’ve had 50 dogs in my life, but I have a very special relationship with this one,” Delon told the magazine. “If I die before him, I’ll ask the vet to take us away together. He’ll put him to sleep in my arms.”
Following criticism from French animal rights groups, Delon’s family confirmed on Tuesday that they would not comply with the actor’s controversial final wish.
The French animal welfare organization Brigitte Bardot Foundation said in a post on X Tuesday that Delon’s relatives had confirmed that the dog “has his home and his family” and would not be put down.
Delon’s children told CNN affiliate BFMTV on Tuesday that the dog would continue to live at their father’s house in Douchy.
Delon’s demand had been heavily criticized in recent days.
France’s main animal welfare organization, the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA), had criticized the demand and stressed on social media on Monday that “the life of an animal should not depend on that of a human.”
Instead, the organization had offered to give the dog a new home if needed.
The friendly animal welfare organization 30 Million Friends also urgently called for Delon’s application to be rejected.
In an article published on Monday, which also acknowledged Delon’s legacy as a “passionate supporter of the animal welfare movement,” the charity expressed its hope that his dog would not be euthanized as long as he was “in good health.”
They also offered to help find a “trusted person” to take Loubo in if necessary.
