A dog who spent 10 years living in the São Paulo cemetery where his owner was buried has inspired a new law permitting the burial of pets with their families in the Brazilian state.
Nicknamed Bob Coveiro - meaning "gravedigger" in Portuguese - the loyal dog brought comfort to mourners and became a fixture at the graveyard until his death in 2021, when he was buried alongside his guardian.
The law named after the canine came into effect on Tuesday and recognises the "emotional bond" between pets and their human families, the state government said.
One of its authors, representative Eduardo Nóbrega, wrote on social media: "What began as a story of love and loyalty has turned into public policy."
Bob attended his owner's funeral at the cemetery in Taboão da Serra and refused to leave thereafter, Brazilian media reported - even returning when family members tried to take him home.
