The story of a dog who stayed by his owner’s grave for 10 years inspired a new law permitting families to bury their pets alongside them.

Known as "Bob Coveiro" (“gravedigger” in Portuguese), the loyal dog remained at a São Paulo cemetery after his owner’s funeral, refusing to leave despite attempts to take him home, and was eventually laid to rest beside his owner in 2021 following a traffic accident.

The state government said the new law recognizes the deep emotional bond between pets and their human families. One of the bill’s authors described it as a story of love and loyalty that has now become public policy.

During his years at the cemetery, Bob became a familiar sight at funerals, comforting mourners. A local animal protection group noted that he “won the hearts of everyone he met” and brought small moments of solace to grieving visitors.

Under the law, cats and dogs can now be buried in family graves in Brazil’s most populous state, provided health regulations set by local funeral services are followed.

Data from the Pet Brasil Institute show that Brazil has the world’s third-largest pet population, with around 160 million companion animals.