French actor Alain Delon’s request for his 10-year-old dog to be euthanised and buried with him has been denied, with his family addressing the issue.
The renowned actor passed away at 88 at his home in Douchy, France, on 18 August.
Delon’s family announced his death through a statement shared with French media, expressing his children and his dog Loubo were deeply saddened by his passing.
The statement read: “He died peacefully at his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and family.”
French president Emmanuel Macron honoured Delon on Twitter, calling him a ‘French monument.’ Brigitte Bardot, Delon’s co-star in the 1961 film *Amours Célèbres*, also paid tribute via her foundation’s animal page.
Monsieur Klein ou Rocco, le Guépard ou le Samouraï, Alain Delon a incarné des rôles légendaires, et fait rêver le monde. Prêtant son visage inoubliable pour bouleverser nos vies.
Mélancolique, populaire, secret, il était plus qu’une star : un monument français. pic.twitter.com/1JTqPfVo5n
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 18, 2024
Bardot’s tribute highlighted Delon as a ‘great friend to animals,’ stating: “Alain was a close friend of our president, Brigitte Bardot, who is devastated by his death. Their friendship, built on a shared love of animals and concern for their welfare, was genuine and precious. Alain recognised the deep bond between humans and animals.”
It later emerged Delon’s affection for animals included his final moments.
The actor had requested that Loubo be ‘put to sleep’ and placed in his grave, according to reports. This request sparked outrage from animal rights groups.
La SPA France, the nation’s oldest animal protection organisation, wrote on Twitter on 19 August: “The SPA wanted to pay tribute to Alain Delon, an animal lover and advocate. Before his death, he expressed a wish to euthanise his dog Loubo. However, an animal’s life should not depend on a human’s. The SPA volunteers to take in his dog and find him a family.”
La SPA tenait à rendre hommage à Alain Delon, ami des animaux et défenseur de la cause. Avant sa mort, il avait émis le souhait d’euthanasier son chien Lobo. Cependant la vie d’un animal ne doit pas être conditionnée à celle d’un humain. La SPA se porte volontaire pour recueillir…
— La SPA France (@SPA_Officiel) August 19, 2024
A spokesperson for the Brigitte Bardot Foundation later addressed the controversy, stating they had spoken to Delon’s daughter Anouchka.
They confirmed the family decided Loubo ‘will not be put down’ but rather ‘kept.’
The foundation added on Twitter: “[Translation] Many of you have reached out about the future of Loubo, Alain Delon’s dog.
“‘He has his home and his family,’ confirmed the actor’s relatives who will look after him. Loubo will certainly not be euthanized!”
What Other Media Are Saying
- euronews reports on the controversy surrounding Alain Delon’s wish to euthanize his dog Loubo and the subsequent intervention by animal rights activists and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation to save the dog, ensuring Loubo’s continued care with Delon’s family.(read more)
- The Guardian reports that Alain Delon’s family has refused to put down his pet dog Loubo, despite the actor’s wish to have the dog euthanized and buried with him.(read more)
- BBC News reports on the latest updates from the Democratic Party convention, where Vice President Kamala Harris has secured enough support to clinch the nomination.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Alain Delon pass away?
Yes, Alain Delon passed away on August 18 at the age of 88.
What was Alain Delon’s request regarding his dog?
Delon requested his dog Loubo be put down and buried with him.
Was Alain Delon’s request about his dog granted?
No, the request was denied and met with backlash from animal rights groups.
Who will take care of Alain Delon’s dog now?
Delon’s family will take care of Loubo, as confirmed by his relatives.
How did Brigitte Bardot respond to Delon’s death?
Brigitte Bardot called Delon a ‘great friend to animals’ and expressed her devastation at his death.