A French actor who asked for his pet dog The idea that the animal would be euthanized and buried with him has been rejected by his family, while several animal rights organizations have spoken out against the idea.

Alain Delon died on Sunday at the age of 88. The Frenchman movie star became an international sex symbol from the 1960s onwards, starring in the crime thriller “Purple Noon” that year. He received several awards during his career, including the César Award for Best Actor for his role in “Notre histoire” (1984).

Delon began making headlines after his death due to an interview he did with Paris Match magazine in 2018. During the conversation, the actor expressed his intentions for his pet.

“He’s my dog ​​at the end of my life. A Belgian Shepherd that I love like a child,” Delon told the outlet at the time, per Entertainment weekly. “I’ve had 50 dogs in my life, but I have a special bond with this one. He misses me when I’m not there.”

The actor added: “If I die before him, I will ask the vet to let us go together. He will inject him so that he dies in my arms. I would prefer that than knowing that he would let himself die on my grave with so much suffering.”

The dog in question is a healthy 10-year-old Belgian Malinois named Loubo. Delon had previously buried the remains of at least 35 of his deceased dogs in a cemetery on the grounds of his home, The Guardian reported. The actor’s children named his current pet when they announced their father’s passing.

“Alain-Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony and also Loubo are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father,” their joint statement said.

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Several animal rights organizations spoke out on the issue. The French Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA) shared on X, “The life of an animal should not be determined by that of a human being. The SPA volunteers to take in his dog and find him a family.”

The Brigitte Bardot Foundation also posted about the matter, writing on Instagram that followers should not worry about Loubo. They shared that Delon’s family had reached out and confirmed that the animal would not be put down as his owner had requested.

A spokesperson for the same organization had similar reassurances in his statement. proposition to The Guardian. “I just got off the phone with Anouchka Delon and she told me that Loubo is part of the family and will be kept. The dog will not be put down.”