"A great victory for Italy and for all animal lovers, even if in Sardinia there is still much to do". With these words, the deputy of Noi Moderati Michela Brambilla celebrates the approval in the Senate in recent days of the law that bears her name. Defined as a reform of "historic importance", it marks a turning point in the protection of animals, recognized as sentient beings and bearers of rights. "Italy is at the forefront compared to other countries, overturning the cultural perspective on the protection of animals", she underlines. However, despite the goal achieved, the road is still long, especially in regions like Sardinia, where every summer the drama of abandonment and stray animals strikes again with force and where the fight against wild animals is increasingly heated. "Hunting in this case is not the solution. We need oral contraceptives for animals and sustainable management of wild fauna".
Fight against abandonment
The new law introduces severe measures against abandonment. "Article 727 of the Criminal Code provides for arrest of up to one year and fines of 5,000 to 10,000 euros," explains Michela Brambilla. The penalties are further increased thanks to an aggravating circumstance in the new Highway Code: if the abandonment occurs on the road or its appurtenances, the fine can increase by up to a third. Furthermore, anyone who abandons an animal using a vehicle risks having their license suspended for six months to a year. The law also includes a ban on keeping dogs on a chain (which the MP calls "medieval"), with fines of up to 5,000 euros, and provides for up to four years in prison for anyone who kills an animal with cruelty.
The emergency in Sardinia
In Sardinia, abandonment and straying are deep wounds. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, "of the total number of dogs hosted in the kennels of the 14 Regions that currently belong to Sinac, the animal registry, over 100,000 specimens, approximately 82 thousand are hosted in just five Regions, Puglia, Calabria, Campania, Sicily and Sardinia. Of these, 17 thousand in Sardinia". A figure that reveals overcrowding and suffering for the animals, and a strong imbalance between North and South.
