In a sweeping reform of animal protection legislation, Italy has enacted a new law introducing stringent penalties for violence against animals, including significant prison terms and fines for crimes such as puppy trafficking, organized animal fights, and mistreatment.
The legislation—championed by Noi Moderati (We Moderates) MP Michela Vittoria Brambilla, a long-standing advocate for animal rights—was approved by Parliament through a show-of-hands vote, signaling broad political consensus. It marks a pivotal shift in the country’s legal stance, recognizing animals as legal subjects rather than objects of human sentiment.
“This is not just legal progress, but a cultural revolution,” Brambilla declared. “Animals are now granted rights that are independent of our emotional attachments to them.”
One of the most significant changes introduced by the law is the explicit shift in legal philosophy: the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure have been amended to ensure the direct protection of animals, replacing the previous focus on safeguarding human emotional responses.
The law affirms that animals possess intrinsic rights, placing them at the core of legal protection regardless of human perception—a move widely applauded across the political spectrum.
Key Provisions and Penalties
The law introduces stiff penalties designed to deter a wide range of offenses:
- Puppy Trafficking: Now classified as a criminal offense, trafficking in puppies will be punishable by 4 to 18 months in prison and fines ranging from €6,000 to €30,000.
- Animal Fights: Organizers face 2 to 4 years in prison, while participants may be fined up to €30,000.
- Killing Animals: Offenders can be sentenced to 6 months to 4 years in prison, alongside fines of up to €60,000.
- Animal Mistreatment: Punishable with prison terms of up to 2 years—financial penalties are no longer an option.
- Violence in Events or Competitions: Organizers face fines increased from €15,000 to €30,000.
In addition, the law mandates that animals involved in criminal proceedings must remain in protective custody until the conclusion of the trial, explicitly prohibiting their destruction.
Expanded Bans and Ethical Measures
The legislation introduces several new national bans, reflecting a growing ethical stance on human-animal interaction:
- Cat Fur Trade: A total prohibition on the commercial use of domestic cat fur.
- Tethering Dogs: The practice of keeping dogs chained is now illegal across the country.
- Exotic Pets: Stricter controls on the ownership of exotic species, with criminal consequences for violations.
- Protected Wildlife: Killing, capturing, or detaining protected species carries penalties of 3 months to 1 year in prison and fines of up to €8,000.
This reform positions Italy among the most progressive countries in Europe in terms of legal protections for animals. While the practical impact will hinge on enforcement and judicial interpretation, the law reflects a decisive cultural and legislative commitment to safeguarding animal welfare.
Animal rights organizations have welcomed the law as a major victory, while lawmakers suggest it may serve as a model for similar legislation in other European jurisdictions.