SAO PAULO: In pet-crazy Brazil, the state of Sao Paulo will allow animals to be buried in family graves starting Tuesday, with a law that recognizes “the emotional bond” that exists between humans and their pets.
Brazil has the third largest pet population in the world, with 160 million companion animals, according to data from the Pet Brasil Institute.
The law was inspired by local dog Bob Coveiro, who lived for 10 years in a municipal cemetery after his owner was buried there.
When the dog died in 2021, he was allowed to be buried next to his human.
Conservative Governor Tarcisio de Freitas signed on Tuesday the so-called Bob Coveiro law that will allow pets to be buried in family tombs or mausoleums throughout the state of Sao Paulo.
The move comes as the country of 213 million people has been gripped by outrage over the death of a beloved community stray dog called “Orelha” (Ear) in the southern coastal city of Florianópolis, who was brutally murdered by a group of teenagers, allegedly from wealthy families.
The case, which even caught the attention of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, sparked protests in several major cities, and local media are following every turn of the investigation.
With a declining birth rate and a burgeoning middle class, Brazil’s strong pet culture is reflected in a growing range of pet services, from luxury spas to hotels.
In January, Sao Paulo passed another law recognizing the “cultural significance” of the ubiquitous caramel-colored Brazilian stray dog known as “Caramel,” which appeared in a 2025 Netflix film.
The goal of the law was “to combat prejudice against animals without a defined breed.”
