Four Chilean deputies have proposed a law that would grant one day of leave from work (or one day of justified absence from school) in the event of the death of one’s pet.
Anyone who owns a pet knows it: whether it is a dog or a cat, or any other “4-legged” friend, from the moment it enters the house it becomes in all respects a member of the family, a being not only to be cared for materially but above all to be given affection and attention, establishing a bond that, in many cases, lasts for decades. That love, however, is often destined to turn into pain when our “friend” dies. And anyone who owns a pet knows very well how strong and intense that pain can be.
And in Chile they have decided to take that suffering seriously. The South American country, in fact, could soon adopt a law that grants one day of work leave for those who are grieving the death of their dog or cat. But how did this virtuous initiative come about? The idea, promoted by deputies Daniella Cicardini, Daniel Manouchehri, Pamela Jiles and Diego Schalper, is inspired by the death of Duque, a 10-year-old French Bulldog of the television host José Antonio Neme, who made a moving appeal to the world on social media politician to “promote a bill that establishes the right of every Chilean to experience a day of mourning for the loss of his pet”.
The host’s appeal did not fall on deaf ears. If approved the “Duque law” will grant special leave from work and a day of absence from school (in the case of students) to all those who lose a pet and who want to experience a moment of mourning and contemplation. For this to be possible, however, people will have to register their pets in the national register and, in addition, it will be necessary to amend the Labor Code and the General Education Law.
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“The ‘Duque law’ recognizes that in each of the homes in Chile the pet is part of the family – explains deputy Cicardini -. And this is why, if today there are spaces and respect for mourning when a person dies dear, we believe that when a pet dies, those who care for it also have the same right to grieve appropriately.”
