Killed by two rifle shots just meters from his front door while attempting to defend his territory: that's how Zeus, a three-year-old Maremma Sheepdog, died. He was shot dead by a man who trespassed onto private property bordering the dog's home, in the Su Trambuccone area. "It was 8:30 a.m., a hunting day. I had asked a hunter to leave the land bordering mine. He replied that he paid hunting fees and would do whatever he wanted, but in the end he left," Zeus's owner recounts. His voice breaking with tears, the animal's owner reconstructs the events, which are being investigated by the Carabinieri, who arrived on the scene after the man raised the alarm. "Shortly after 9:30 a.m., I was away for a quarter of an hour with Zeus, who, upon returning, got out of the car and entered the house early."

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It was during that time that an armed man entered the fenced property, attracting the Maremmano's attention, which began barking to defend its territory. "The intruder first attempted to hit it with rocks, then grabbed his rifle and fired two shots at Zeus, killing him," the owner added. According to the man's reconstruction, who, attracted by the gunshots, left the house to reach Zeus, the alleged perpetrator then dragged the dog's body by its paws toward a ravine, intending to hide the body, and made death threats against the dog's owner. The animal's carcass has been seized by the Local Health Authority for an autopsy ordered by the judicial authorities. Supporting Zeus's family is Lida di Olbia, which has provided legal assistance and intends to join the civil action in any legal proceedings: "We will not take a single step back until whoever pulled that trigger has paid for everything. We also demand the immediate and permanent revocation of this individual's gun license and all weapons in his possession."

Tania Careddu

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