Saint Guinefort was a legendary greyhound living in the 13th century near Lyon, France. According to local folklore, the dog saved an infant from a snake, but was subsequently killed by its owner who had misunderstood the situation. This act of protection led the animal to be regarded as a martyr. The dog's story became a significant part of regional folk tradition, representing a unique instance of animal veneration within the local peasant community.
Local veneration
Following its death, the dog was buried in a well, where a shrine was established at the site. Local peasants sought the animal's help, particularly when praying for sick children. While the practice was later criticized by Protestant reformers and suppressed by the Catholic hierarchy, the tradition persisted for centuries. Historian John Bossy has studied this phenomenon, and the last known visit to the site occurred in the 1940s.