French actor Alain Delon’s request to have his 10-year-old dog euthanized and buried with him after his death has been denied, with his family addressing the issue publicly.
On August 18, the iconic French actor passed away at the age of 88 at his home in Douchy, France. Delon’s family announced his death in a statement shared with the French media, noting that his children and his dog Loubo were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.”
The statement continued, saying, “He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.”
Following his death, French President Emmanuel Macron honored Delon on Twitter, calling him a “French monument.” Brigitte Bardot, Delon’s co-star from the 1961 film Amours Célèbres, also released a tribute through her animal foundation’s page. The statement highlighted Delon as a “great friend to animals,” noting, “Alain was a close friend of our president, Brigitte Bardot, who is devastated by his death. Their friendship, based on a shared love of animals and a shared concern for their welfare, was precious and genuine. Alain understood the profound link between man and animal.”
However, it soon emerged that Delon’s love for animals extended even beyond his life. According to The Guardian, the actor had requested that Loubo be “put to sleep” and buried alongside him. This request sparked outrage among animal rights groups.
La SPA France, the country’s oldest animal protection organization, took to Twitter on August 19 to address the issue, stating: “The SPA wanted to pay tribute to Alain Delon, animal lover and defender of the cause. Before his death, he had expressed the wish to euthanize his dog Lobo. However, the life of an animal should not be conditioned by that of a human. The SPA is volunteering to take in his dog and find him a family.”
In response to the growing controversy, a spokesperson for the Brigitte Bardot Foundation later clarified the situation, revealing that they had spoken with Delon’s daughter, Anouchka Delon. The family decided that Loubo “will not be put down” but “kept” instead.
The foundation shared an update on Twitter, stating, “Many of you have sent us messages regarding the future of Loubo, Alain Delon’s dog. ‘He has his home and his family,’ confirmed the actor’s relatives who will take care of him. Loubo will of course not be euthanized!”
