Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770776607541Screenshot 2026-02-11 102226.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Glenn Deblaere, Unsplash </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>In pet-mad Brazil, the state of Sao Paulo will allow animals to be buried in family graves starting Tuesday, with a law recognizing &quot;the emotional bond&quot; that exists between humans and their household critters.</p><p>Brazil has the world&#x27;s third largest pet population, with 160 million animal companions, according to data from the Pet Brasil Institute.</p><p>The law was inspired by local dog Bob Coveiro, who lived for 10 years in a municipal cemetery after his owner was buried there.</p><p>When the dog died in 2021, he was allowed to be buried alongside his human.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/9/filipino-couples-prefer-pets-over-children-popcom-1807">Filipino couples prefer pets over children: Popcom</a></div><p>Conservative governor Tarcisio de Freitas on Tuesday signed the so-called Bob Coveiro law that will allow pets to be buried in family graves or mausoleums across Sao Paulo state.</p><p>The measure comes as the country of 213 million people has been gripped by outrage over the death of a beloved community street dog named &quot;Orelha&quot; (Ear) in the southern coastal city Florianopolis -- who was brutally killed by a group of teenagers, allegedly from wealthy families.</p><p>The case -- which even drew the attention of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva -- sparked protests in several main cities, and local media are following every twist and turn in the investigation.</p><p>With a declining birth rate and burgeoning middle class, Brazil&#x27;s strong pet culture is reflected in a growing range of services for pets, from luxury spas to hotels.</p><p>In January, Sao Paulo passed another law recognizing the &quot;cultural significance&quot; of the ubiquitous caramel-colored Brazilian street dog known as a &quot;Caramelo&quot; -- which featured in a 2025 Netflix film.</p><p>The goal of the law was to &quot;combat prejudice against animals without a defined breed.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2025/11/1/grieving-fur-parents-choose-pet-aquamation-for-accessible-gentle-afterlife-care-1128">Grieving fur parents choose pet aquamation for accessible, gentle ‘afterlife care’</a></div><div><iframe width="1200" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nl6Y1jE0r24" title="Pet owners pinipili ang taxidermy para sa mga namayapang alaga | TV Patrol" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1201" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9cH_5wJQJVE" title="Mahigit 500 pets rumampa, binasbasan sa World Animal Day | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>In pet-mad Brazil, the state of Sao Paulo will allow animals to be buried in family graves starting Tuesday, with a law recognizing "the emotional bond" that exists between humans and their household critters.</p>

In pet-mad Brazil, the state of Sao Paulo will allow animals to be buried in family graves starting Tuesday, with a law recognizing "the emotional bond" that exists between humans and their household critters.

Till death do us bark: Brazilian state lets pets be buried with owners

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Till death do us bark: Brazilian state lets pets be buried with owners

Agence France-Presse

Published February 11, 2026 10:23 AM PHT

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