A migrant from Mali has been arrested in Italy for slaughtering a dog in front of a pharmacy and then carrying the dog’s body home to eat. The week before, he also tortured another dog by pouring boiling oil over the animal. Despite his actions, he was released to commit new crimes.
The case has been widely shared on Italian social media, with many Italians shocked by the torture the dogs have been subjected to. In addition, animal rights groups and the Italian parliament have commented on the case.
Citizens reportedly witnessed the attack on the dog in front of the pharmacy and alerted the police. The man, a 27-year-old from Mali, carried the dog’s body back to his home.
“He wanted to eat it,” writes the Italian newspaper La Stampa. Media company Today.it has identified the dog as Merlin, who was well taken care of by the residents of the city of Naro.
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Michela Vittoria Brambilla, president of the Italian animal and environmental protection organization LEIDAA and member of the parliamentary cross-party group for animal rights and environmental protection, commented on the case:
“What happened in Naro, in the province of Agrigento, where a foreigner with an expired deportation order slaughtered a stray dog in the city center, in front of the citizens, is an unacceptable and disgusting act of violence. Italy is not a lawless land and will never become one. The Brambilla law has been in force since July 1, all that remains is to apply it. Those who do not have the right to stay and are responsible for similar crimes must be stopped and punished. I thank the police for intervening quickly, but the anger remains that a person with a history of attacking public officials could move freely.”
Poured boiling oil on another dog
Animal rights activist Enrico Rizzi noted that the migrant had already been arrested for pouring boiling oil on a dog just the week before.
“Seven days ago, this man from a non-EU country had already burned a poor stray dog with boiling oil and even attacked the Italian police who intervened. The man was arrested and immediately released by the judiciary. Back on the street, he took another stray dog and slaughtered it. He must be sent home.”
The animal shelter in Agrigento shared a photo of Merlin and wrote on Facebook: “He had lived freely and was cared for with love by the neighborhood for years. As citizens and animal lovers, we will not remain silent: We will report to the relevant authorities and seek justice for Merlin and safety for all.”
Used the street as a toilet
The migrant is also known for having caused “chaos” in the city in recent weeks, including using the street as a toilet, raising the question of why he was not brought to justice long ago.
The mayor of Naro, Milco Dalacchi, wants the man to be deported after being brought to justice.
“As an administration, we reiterate that we have done everything in our power and assure the citizens that we will continue to monitor the case with the utmost attention so that all necessary measures are taken, including the deportation procedure against the person concerned. We trust in the actions of justice and law enforcement agencies and renew our commitment to the safety and decency of our community.”
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