Stray dogs are congregating outside of a church entrance to howl with the bell music every day.
Several pooches were filmed sleeping around the city square just as the chimes started to play.
The animals immediately sprang to their paws and ran to the church entrance.
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Around half-dozen stray dogs ended up outside the main door as the music continued to play.
They were heard howling along with the melody.
The bizarre phenomenon reportedly takes place every day on the Monsenhor Joaquim de Castro Square in Candeias, located north of São Paulo, Brazil.
The video was shared online by the Candeias Animal Protection Association.
Spokesperson Lilian Bonaccorsi, said: “Street dogs go to the church to howl to the sound of music in praise of Our Lady of Aparecida.
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“This routine takes place at 6pm when the Parish Church of Our Lady of Candeias plays music in honour of the saint.
“Many of these dogs live on the streets, but we take care of them and leave food and water on the square where they gather.
“At the time of the Ave Maria at 6pm, they go to the church door.”
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She added: “It is very beautiful and moving.”
According to Lilian, the most ‘faithful’ of the pack is a dog nicknamed Floquinho.
She said: “He knows all the songs and goes to all the masses, even at dawn.
“He really is a devotee!”
Floquinho is also known for being a studious dog, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Lilian said: “In addition to the association, I work at a school in Candeias and he always shows up there too!”
Angélica da Silva Vasconcellos, animal behaviour expert at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, said the reason for the dogs’ daily pilgrimage may be related to food and friendly pats.
She explained: “One possibility is conditioning.
“People come to the church when the bells ring and the dogs are often treated with food and affection, and they become conditioned to it.
“Then they get used to repeating the same routine whenever they hear that sound.
“I would say it’s the most likely explanation.
“The other possibility has to do with the fact that they howl there.
“Dogs have much more acute hearing than we do, so loud noises can really bother them.
“Howling is a way of expressing discomfort, and an attempt to eliminate it.
“But if the noise was unbearable for them, they would move away instead of approaching.”
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