Alain Delon’s dog will not be euthanised and buried with him

The family of Alain Delon, the French actor who died on August 18, has confirmed that his dog will not be put to sleep and buried next to him, despite the actor having requested this.

Loubo is a Belgian Malinois, and was adopted by Mr Delon in 2014. The actor - who was known for being an animal lover - reportedly had more than 50 dogs throughout the course of his life.

Read also: Tributes pour in for French film legend Alain Delon 

Before his death, he said that when he died, he wanted to be buried at his home in Douchy-Montcorbon (Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire) next to 35 of his dogs, which are also buried there. 

And in 2018, the actor said: “If I die before [Loubo], I will ask the vet to let us go together. I want the vet to inject him so he dies in my arms. I would prefer that rather than knowing he would be left to die at my grave.”

Animal welfare associations have fought the request saying that even though Mr Delon was recognised as an "unconditional lover of animals” by pet association Fondation 30 millions d'amis, this particular last wish should not be honoured.

Animal protection association la Société protectrice des animaux (SPA) said on X (Twitter): “An animal’s life should not be conditional to that of a human. The SPA is offering to voluntarily take [Mr Delon’s] dog and find him a family.”

 Animal welfare group, the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, said that it had received multiple calls from people who were worried about Loubo.

‘Loubo is fine’

However, the foundation has confirmed that “everything is fine with Loubo”, and that he will stay with the actor’s family and be cared for at home. 

He is particularly loved by the actor’s three children - Alain-Fabien, Anouchka, and Anthony - understood to have visited their father regularly despite claims of repeated family feuding.

Read also: Alain Delon: French cinema legend dogged by scandal and family feud 

Loubo is expected to live at home with Alain-Fabien, who lives in Douchy.