A late French actor's wish to have his pet dog euthanized and buried with him will not be honored by his family.
Alain Delon, best known for starring in classics such as Plein Soleil and Le Samouraï, died aged 88 on Sunday (August 18)
According to a statement shared by the family, the film star passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children.
“Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as [his dog] Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father,” the statement shared by The Guardian read.
The L'Eclisse star had once said that he wanted his 10-year-old Belgian malinois called Loubo to be put down and placed in his grave alongside him after his death.
In a 2018 interview with Paris Match, The Rocco and His Brothers actor revealed: “He’s my end-of-life dog...I love him like a child. 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," as cited by The New York Post.
“If I die before him, I’ll ask the vet to take us away together,” he continued. “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," he added.
The former heartthrob's comments were condemned by numerous animal rights activists including France’s oldest animal protection association, The SPA, who urged that the Belgian Malinois be placed in a new home instead.
“The life of an animal should not depend on that of a human. The SPA is happy to take his dog and find it a family," the organization wrote, per The Independent.
Although there is no law in France stopping owners from putting down their animals, it is for individual vets to choose whether to carry out their wishes.
Delon’s children announced that Loubo would not be euthanized and buried alongside their father. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation confirmed the news, revealing that Delon’s daughter Anouchka had spoken to them over the phone.
“I’ve just had Anouchka Delon on the phone and she has told me that Loubo is part of the family and will be kept. The dog will not be put down,” a foundation spokesperson said, according to The Guardian.
Delon was an icon of ‘60s and ‘70s European cinema and was also known for his love of animals. He had built a chapel in the cemetery on his property, which contained the remains of at least 35 dogs he had during his life.
The actor had been in poor health since suffering a stroke five years ago. His last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.
He had wished to be buried at his Douchy home “in the strictest privacy” according to reports.
Our thoughts go out to the actor's family, fans and friends.