Those who abandon animals risk heavy fines and imprisonment
History repeats itself every year. The scorching Italian summer arrives and families leave for the long-awaited trip.
But on the way, a sad story: the abandonment of an animal pet, which was bought – almost always – on impulse.
A very common practice is to leave the animal on roads, usually tied to a tree or guardrail – those protective barriers.
But the practice is a crime, according to article 727 of the Italian penal code. In recent years, animal protection groups have reinforced their call for punishments to be exemplary.
Law 74/2025 is being challenged in the Court of Justice of the European Union. For thousands of descendants, the next step depends on understanding how the new rule has affected each case.
Your case may still have a legal outcome.
ANALYZE MY CASEAbandoning a pet can result in the offender being imprisoned for up to one year or fine ranging from one thousand to 10 thousand euros – around R$60 thousand.
”The criminal reason for this crime can be found in the need to protect the feeling of common pity towards animals and promote civil education through combating animal abuse. callousness and cruelty", says the Cataldi studio, Italian portal about judicial news.
The same penalty is applied to those who keep animals in conditions incompatible with their nature, causing suffering. A practical example is when the owner goes on vacation and leaves the animal alone in the yard.
The crime of abandonment occurs even if the dome leaves an animal locked in the car for several hours in the summer.
In case of conviction, according to jurisprudence, it also implies the confiscation of the animal.
“This is an offense to which jurisprudence has become increasingly sensitive,” says the article.
READ TOO
It's been proven that dogs love pasta. But can they eat it?
20 Bizarre Italy Laws You Need to Know Before Becoming a Citizen
