Italy Animal Advocates Demand Legislation Change for Dog Owners
The Friends of Paco Fund’s Commitment
Animal advocates across Italy have mobilized to support the modification of current legislation, which especially penalizes the owners of the estimated six million dogs living within Italian households. The call to “rebel” comes from Fondo Amici di Paco, a non-profit organization that has been campaigning for two years against the practice of abandonment, a problem that becomes particularly significant during this period. The incident that sparked this movement involved a family from Bergamo who was fined for taking their dog with them to the beach in Sardinia.
The case and media intervention
The fine issued by the police was for 6 million lire. The case gained national attention through the television program Mi manda Raitre. Since Ms. Liliana is a supporter of Fondo Amici di Paco, the organization decided to intervene. How? By appealing to the highest authorities of the state.
The request to the President of the Republic
Starting with the President of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. “Dear President,” the letter states, “I am reaching out to you to request your intervention with the relevant authorities regarding the unjust provisions—actual legislative maltreatments—that penalize pet owners in Italy, particularly dog owners.
Living with a dog in Italy has become especially difficult due to a wide range of local bans and restrictions on public transportation, beaches, green areas, and pedestrian zones. The recent hefty fines (up to 6 million lire) imposed by the Port Authorities on owners who brought their dogs to the beach demonstrate a widespread intolerance towards animals by legislators and law enforcers alike.
I therefore ask you to intervene with the competent agencies to review these unjust measures that penalize and make it nearly impossible for millions of families to coexist peacefully and civilly with their pets. I also request that mayors of Italian municipalities create accessible zones in their cities and beaches specifically designated for dogs.” The letter was also sent to the Minister of Transport and Navigation, Grazia, the Minister of Justice, and ANCI.