As reported by "Around the World," the law has become known as Bob the Gravedigger's Law in honor of a dog that stayed by its owner's grave for ten years.
The law, signed by the governor, "recognizes the emotional bond between owners and their pets," allowing the burial of dogs and cats both in cemeteries and on family-owned plots. It was enacted in response to the high costs of pet cremation, which often forced people to resort to unauthorized burials.
Deputy Eduardo Nobrega, one of the initiators of the bill, noted: "Anyone who has lost a pet knows that it is not just an animal, but part of the family." He added that the new law provides a "dignified and affordable" alternative to previous requirements.
According to The Guardian, the law has already received the unofficial title of Bob the Gravedigger's Law, in honor of the dog that never left its owner's grave.
The Story of Bob the Gravedigger, the Brazilian Cemetery Dog
Bob, a long-haired ginger mutt, lost his owner in 2011. After her burial, he remained at the cemetery in Taboão da Serra, near the capital of São Paulo state.
The deceased's family tried to take the dog away, but Bob consistently returned to the grave. Eventually, cemetery workers "adopted" him, providing him with shelter and regular food.
Bob became famous throughout Brazil for his funeral processions, in which he often participated with a small ball in his mouth, trying to entertain people in moments of grief.
Unfortunately, in 2021, Bob was hit by a motorcycle, and his life tragically came to an end.
This story caused a significant public outcry, and the city council of Taboão da Serra decided to bury Bob next to his owner, even though there was no relevant law at the time.
In 2022, a statue of Bob was erected at the cemetery, funded through a crowdfunding campaign.
On the plaque beneath the statue, it reads: "This is our tribute and gratitude for your lessons of love and loyalty. In difficult times, Bob taught us to offer small balls and attention when others need it most."
São Paulo was not the first state in Brazil to pass a law allowing the burial of pets alongside their owners; a similar law is already in effect in Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina. Additionally, since 2023, a similar federal bill is being considered in the lower house of Brazil's parliament.
