Harsher penalties for animal abusers in Italy

In recent years, Italy has made significant progress in the field of animal welfare.

Legislative focus is increasingly shifting towards increasing penalties for animal cruelty and raising awareness of animal welfare. With this law, spearheaded by Michela Vittoria Brambilla, Italy is changing its approach: animals are no longer merely objects of compassion, but subjects of the law.

Anyone who tortures or kills dogs, cats or other pets in Italy will in future risk four years in prison and fines of up to 60,000 euros.

The bill, first signed by MP Michela Vittoria Brambilla of Noi Moderati, was also passed by the Senate without amendments and is therefore final. The text significantly increases criminal and administrative penalties for crimes against domestic animals. This measure has been anticipated for over twenty years and was welcomed in parliament by all majority parties as a crucial step towards the legal protection of animals .

The reform introduces stricter penalties for those who organize or participate in animal fights: up to four years in prison for organizers and fines of up to €160,000. Anyone participating "in any capacity" faces a sentence of up to two years. Regular organizers of such events will be subject to the same penalties as those convicted of Mafia-related offenses.

Among the most symbolic changes is the nationwide ban on keeping dogs on chains: Anyone who violates this risks a fine of up to 5,000 euros.

In addition to recognizing crimes directly against pets, the text also increases penalties for the mistreatment, killing, and exploitation of animals. This is achieved through increased prison sentences and fines, as well as the expansion of aggravating circumstances, such as the presence of minors or the online dissemination of the crimes. This last measure was necessary to prevent the copycat effect associated with social media.

Wild and domestic animals are ignored in the new law.

Wild animals (and especially farm animals) are largely excluded from the new law, contrary to the original intention of the first signatory. Both the Brothers of Italy and the League are close to the lobby of recreational hunters and livestock farmers, and indeed, the Minister of Agriculture and Giorgia Meloni's former brother-in-law, Francesco Lollobrigida, is working on a reform of the hunting law that envisions extensive liberalization, particularly regarding protected wild animal species such as bears and wolves .

Animal welfare organizations therefore speak of a "missed opportunity". They view the legal treatment of domestic animals as independent legal subjects positively, but find the lack of effective measures for the protection of wild and farm animals concerning.

The tenacity in prosecuting animal abusers demonstrates Italy's commitment to animal welfare. Improving the legal framework and raising public awareness are laying the foundations for more effective animal protection. However, much remains to be done to ensure that existing laws are consistently enforced and that animal welfare continues to gain importance in society.

The IG Wild beim Wild welcomes this news, but regrets the failure of amendments that would have made the law more effective.