SAO PAULO – Starting Tuesday, the state of Sao Paulo will allow pets to be buried alongside their owners in family graves, a law recognising “the emotional bond” between humans and their household animals.
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The legislation, dubbed the Bob Coveiro law, was inspired by a local dog of the same name who lived for 10 years in a municipal cemetery after his owner was interred there. When Bob Coveiro died in 2021, he was allowed to be buried alongside his human companion, setting a precedent for the new measure.
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.
Read it here: https://t.co/i6cNRCLnbp pic.twitter.com/n4TX0HfWmT
— Bilyonaryo (@bilyonaryo_ph) February 11, 2026
Signed by conservative Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, the law allows pets to be buried in family graves or mausoleums across Sao Paulo state. Officials said the move reflects the deep emotional connections Brazilians have with their pets and aims to provide legal recognition of their significance within families.
Brazil has the world’s third-largest pet population, with 160 million animals, according to the Pet Brasil Institute. The country’s strong pet culture has led to a booming market of services, including luxury hotels, spas, and cultural recognition for street dogs.
The law comes amid public outrage over the killing of a street dog named “Orelha” (Ear) in the southern coastal city of Florianopolis. The dog was allegedly killed by teenagers from affluent families, sparking protests nationwide and drawing the attention of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Earlier in January, Sao Paulo passed another law acknowledging the cultural importance of the caramel-colored Brazilian street dog, known as a “Caramelo,” in a bid to combat prejudice against animals without defined breeds.
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Lawmakers and animal rights activists hailed the Bob Coveiro law as a step forward in recognising the emotional and cultural significance of pets in Brazil, reflecting the country’s evolving attitudes toward animal welfare and the growing role of pets in family life.