Brambilla sull'abolizione della Corrida:un atto di civiltà
| Law and common sense |
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Travelling we come in touch with different realities. In order to avoid trouble, it is best to have a general idea of the rules governing pet ownership. Below are some suggestions, dictated by law and common sense, you should follow to make your holiday with your pet the most enjoyable possible. ALWAYS REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE
Our four-legged friends sometimes can be prey to the brutality of human beings. Even when you are on holiday, if you happen to see acts of abuse, it is an immense act of civilization and responsibility to report it to the competent authorities. Go to the nearest Police or Carabinieri Station to report the case.Law N. 189 of 20th July 2004 (O.J. N. 178 of 31st July 2004) laying down "Provisions concerning the ban on animal abuse, and the use of animals for dogfights or unauthorized competitions", has reviewed the rules concerning animal abuse including a new chapter in Book 2 of the Code of Criminal Law, titled "Crimes against feelings of affection for animals". Our four-legged friends are so important that for the first time in the history of our Code of Criminal Law a new group of crimes has been added. The reform is a substantial acknowledgment of the fact that animals bear rights that deserve the protection of the Code of Criminal Law: a number of behaviours against your cat and dog are now punishable. Some of these behaviours were already punishable according to Article 727 of the Code of Criminal Law, which forbade torturing animals in situations of need, and introduced a series of new fines for imprisoning animals in conditions incompatible with their nature, as well as for abandoning domestic animals or animals who have acquired the habits of captivity. These provisions were broadened and made more severe by Law N. 189 of 20th July 2004, which introduced a new group of crimes in the Code and made a huge step forward in protecting our four-legged friends, providing for harsh punishments for animal abuse or slaughter, as well as for shows or exhibitions involving torture or mangling, especially when accompanied by illegal betting, or performed to draw profit for oneself or for others, or if said activities lead to the animal's death. The law forbids animal fights and punishes whoever promotes, organises or runs fights or unauthorised competitions between animals that can cause physical harm to the animals. Furthermore, it punishes whoever rears animals and acts as an intermediary for the participation in said events, or organises illegal betting on animal fights. The punishments provided for by the new group of crimes are much harsher than the previous ones. Today, whoever causes the death of an animal is punishable with 3 to 18 months' imprisonment; whoever abuses an animal is punishable with 3 months to 1 year imprisonment or a fine of 3,000 to 15,000 Euro, increased by 50% in case of the animal's death. Whoever organises forbidden shows or exhibitions involving torture or mangling of animals is punishable with up to 2 years' imprisonment and a fine of 3,000 to 15,000 Euro; whoever promotes, organises or runs fights or unauthorised competitions is punishable with up to 3 years' imprisonment and a fine up to 160,000 Euro. For further information, visit the website: www.ministerosalute.it/caniGatti/paginaInternaMenuCani.jsp?id=213&menu=benessere |
