A historic walled hilltop village in the Italian countryside is mourning the loss of one of its most charismatic and endearing residents.

Brindo Canis Affamatus, a small brown dog of ill-defined breed and age, who ran for mayor of the town of Toffia in 2014, was found dead beside a stream last week.

It is believed he experienced a heart attack after being chased by three large dogs while on a nature walk.

• The Beatles seen ‘mucking around’ in new footage
• Missing cat reunites with owner, five years on
• Video: 1000 dolphins flee from orca ambush
• Escaping NZ octopus becomes a media star

Since his death, his Facebook page has been flooded with messages of sorrow as people reflected on the impact he had on their lives.

But many dogs die in tragic circumstances, so what was it about Brindo that has caused such an outpouring of grief, not just in Toffia but around the world?

The “little lord of Toffia” belonged to no one in particular; rather, he owned the town.

Local people and visitors would greet him with a “Ciao Brindo”, while cars were forced to drive around his stubbornly-seated body.

His popularity within the tiny village was confirmed during the 2014 mayoral elections when he ran as a candidate for Movement Four Paws.

Brindo’s team put together this election poster. Photo: Facebook: Brindo Canis Affamatus

Campaign buttons and posters were made touting: “After many dog politicians, the first political dog”, an anti-political statement which may have dented a few egos.

Not unlike some two-legged politicians, Brindo’s campaign was rather light on policies, but that did not stop him from receiving six votes in the local election – more than some human candidates.

Everyone related to dog candidate

One of his caretakers, artist Barbara Bartos, explained his success.

“Toffia is a really small village so the mayoral election was a big thing and felt intensely by all the residents,” Ms Bartos said.

“The ideas behind his candidature were multiple; by then Brindo had become a permanent fixture in the piazza. He was known and loved by kids and old people alike.

“The election, like any electoral period, had been polarising the residents and had created social and political tension.

“Brindo seemed to be the only ‘person’ in town to which everyone, regardless of political inclination, age or social status seemed to relate.”

While technically unsuccessful, from then on Brindo became known as “Sindaco” (mayor) of Toffia.

Dog thrived within creative community

Toffia, founded in 950AD, is a town of cobbled, winding streets and stone cottages, located about 60 kilometres from Rome, in the olive oil-producing region of Sabina.

It boasts a population of about 1000 residents and is home to an artist residency program and cooking school drawing international visitors.

Brindo Sindaco’s stout golden body would saunter jauntily through the village stopping for pats, ice cream, and general adoration from all.

Brindo supporters wore these buttons in the run-up to the village elections. Photo: Facebook: Convivio Rome Cooking Holidays

The piazza was his favourite place to sunbake and people-watch, and as the sun’s arc crossed, he would alter his position along the wall accordingly – until it came time to search for dinner.

Originally hailing from across the valley, Brindo was adopted by the town after abandoning his first master in favour of the regular food and activities offered in Toffia.

He soon began turning up to the bar on the piazza every afternoon at 3pm and never left.

“His name comes from the Italian word ‘brindare’, which means making a toast or drink to, as in drinking in a social context – probably because he had a wobbly walk as a puppy and looked drunk,” Ms Bartos said.

“As an adult, he would continue to have a funny walk, which was part of his charm.”

The hilltop village of Toffia, located about 40 minutes from Rome, is 350 years old. Photo: Facebook: 330C

He attended every festival involving food, and during the theatre season was at every performance, in the front row. Following the show, he would, of course, stay for the five-course dinners.

“He would pick a person who was eating and stare them in the eye until something fell [and then] move to the next eating person,” Ms Bartos recalled.

“He loved any food and he’d eat anything, including paper, with the exception of canned dog food which he ate only in desperate cases.

“If he received too much one day, he would hide the extras in secret places all over Toffia.”

Notorious Casanova with ‘Napoleon syndrome’

Brindo was a notorious Casanova and, according to Ms Bartos, had affairs and offspring with just about every available female dog in the vicinity.

After the launch of his Facebook page, which lists him as being self-employed, it became clear to all he had more progeny than originally thought.

When he spotted something tasty, Brindo would stare right at it, willing it to fall to the ground. Photo: Facebook: Brindo Canis Affamatus

His one unrequited love was a large dog named Luna, outside whose door Brindo pined for two weeks without food.

“He had a bit of what we called the ‘Napoleon syndrome’ – thinking he was a much bigger dog than he really was,” Ms Bartos said.

“He would attack much bigger dogs, using his small size to his advantage, and was always defending his territory.

“He was famous – and ridiculed – for his attempts to mate with much larger dogs.”

Social media tributes flow

Brindo enjoyed walks in the surrounding countryside with or without the locals. Photo: Facebook: Barbara Bartos

Tributes have poured in on Brindo’s Facebook page from as far away as Canada and Australia as visitors to the town recall their memories of the charismatic canine.

“Brindo, I’m so heartbroken to hear the news. I hope you are eating endless sausages in heaven,” Ginny Huo said.

“What a terrible piece of news. He was adorable, and I looked forward to seeing him this summer. Rest in peace, best little dog who could have been mayor,” Gary A Day wrote.

“Rest in peace little buddy! Brindo truly touched my heart. Best studio buddy, running buddy, sunset walk companion, kitchen helper and all around top dog,” Meichen Waxer said.

Ironically, Brindo Canis Affamatus, honorary “Sindaco” of Toffia, was buried on Liberation Day, celebrating the liberation of Italy from German Nazi occupation by partisans.

“The defining song of this day is Bella Ciao, and the verses are strikingly appropriate for a free dog that did not want to have an owner,” Ms Bartos said.

-ABC