The family of the late French actor Alain Delon has overruled his wish to have his dog be put down and buried with him.
The family’s refusal to put down Loubo, Delon’s healthy 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, came after a massive outcry from animal rights activists, The Daily Mail UK reports.
The Guardian reveals that Delon told Paris Match magazine in 2018 that Loubo was his “end of life dog”.
He further expressed his love for the Belgian Malinois saying, “I’ve had 50 dogs in my life, but I have a special relationship with this one. He misses me when I’m not there.”
In the same interview, 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. I’d rather do that than know that he’ll let himself die on my grave with so much suffering.”
The interview and Delon’s dying wish comes under the spotlight with his recent passing, once again drawing criticism from animal rights groups.
La SPA, a French animal rights organization, condemned his decision saying, “Before his death, he has expressed the wish to euthanize his dog, Luobo. However, the life of an animal should not be conditioned by that of a human.”
La SPA also volunteered to take in the dog and find him a forever family. However, after the outpouring criticisms, the French animal charity Brigitte Bardot Foundation reveals on Instagram, “Loubo, of course, will not be euthanized!”
They wrote, “”He has his own home and family,” the actor’s relatives who will take care of him confirmed to us.”
The actor passed away on Sunday, August 18, at the age of 88. And according to reports, Delon was buried at his Douchy home “in the strictest privacy” and no further details have been given by his family.
