Former stonecutter Aparecido Castaldo, 74, has decided to end his solitutude to marry his pet goat, Carmelita.

The wedding is scheduled for 13 October in Igreja do Diabo, or Devil’s Church, in the city of Jundiai, Brazil, London Evening Standard has reported.

The paper quoted the father of eight children – four women and four men from four different marriages – as saying: “She doesn’t speak and doesn’t want money.”

Mr Castaldo, who has been in love with the pet for two years, has promised that the marriage will not be consummated.

The ceremony is scheduled for midnight October 13 and will be followed by a big party on All Souls’ Day the following day.

Carmelita ate her first wedding dress but has been found another.

The widower said: “Whenever someone says I am doing something wrong I reply the goat does not speak, ask for money to go shopping and doesn’t get pregnant – and she can’t talk.”

•Photo courtesy www.gadling.com shows a goat dressed for wedding.