French actor’s family refuses to put down pet dog he wanted to be buried with

Niamh Kennedy, CNN

(CNN) — The family of Alain Delon, who died astatine nan play aged 88, has denied nan actor’s petition for his canine to beryllium euthanized and buried alongside him pursuing outcry successful France.

Delon, an icon of French cinema known for his starring roles successful “The Leopard” and “Our Story,” died connected Sunday.

The French actor had intelligibly expressed his wish to person his beloved Belgian Shepherd dog, Loubo, buried alongside him erstwhile he passed.

He disclosed nan different request during an question and reply pinch Paris Match magazine in 2018,  describing Loubo as his “end-of-life” canine who he loved “like a child.”

“I’ve had 50 dogs successful my life, but I person a typical narration pinch this one,” Delon told nan magazine. “If I dice earlier him, I’ll inquire nan vet to return america distant together. He’ll put him to slumber successful my arms.”

Following disapproval from animal use groups successful France, Delon’s family confirmed connected Tuesday that they would not beryllium granting nan actor’s arguable dying wish.

French animal charity, nan Brigitte Bardot Foundation, said successful a station connected X Tuesday that Delon’s relatives had confirmed that nan canine “has his location and his family” and will not beryllium euthanized.

Delon’s children told CNN connection BFMTV connected Tuesday that nan canine will proceed to reside successful their father’s Douchy residence.

Delon’s petition had been powerfully criticized successful caller days.

France’s main animal protection organization, nan Society for nan Protection of Animals (SPA), had criticized nan request, stressing connected societal media connected Monday that “the life of an animal should not beryllium conditional connected that of a quality being.”

The statement had offered alternatively to rehome nan canine if needed.

Fellow animal use organization, 30 Million Friends, besides powerfully urged Delon’s petition beryllium denied.

In an article published Monday, which besides paid tribute to Delon’s bequest arsenic a “fervent protagonist of nan animal cause,” nan kindness expressed its dream that his canine wouldn’t beryllium put down whilst “in bully health.”

They besides offered to thief find “someone trustworthy” to return successful Loubo if needed.