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Report 2023 on Zoomafia: The Criminal Exploitation of Animals in Italy

Over 25 files are opened per day for crimes against animals, with approximately 13 people investigated per day.

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November 02, 2023 Thursday

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The report highlights the often systematic and serial crimes against animals committed in Italy. The 24th edition, written by Ciro Troiano and compiled under the patronage of the Antonino Caponnetto Foundation, analyzes the criminal exploitation of animals in 2022.

The new report on crimes against animals in Italy has found that there were over 25 files opened per day for crimes against animals, with approximately 13 people investigated per day.

The national rate of proceedings was 14.9 proceedings per 100,000 inhabitants.

The Observatory on Zoomafia asked all 140 Public Prosecutors' Offices and the 29 Juvenile Courts for data on the total number of criminal proceedings in 2022, both known and against unknown persons, with the number of suspects, for the following offenses:

  • killing of animals
  • animal abuse, animal cruelty 
  • prohibited shows and demonstrations 
  • unauthorized fighting and competition between animals 
  • killing of animals of others
  • abandonment and incompatible detention 
  • hunting offenses 
  • illegal trafficking of pets 

The report also analyzed data provided by the Environmental and Agri-food Forestry Unit Command Carabinieri, the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Health, the Comando General of the Guardia di Finanza, and the Corpo delle Capitanerie di Porto Coast Guard.

The report identified the most common crimes against animals in Italy as follows:

  • illegal horse racing;
  • animal fighting;
  • trafficking of puppies;
  • poaching;
  • illegal fishing.

The Observatory's findings also indicate an upward trend in the number of crimes against animals. In 2022, there were more files opened for crimes against animals than in any previous year.

The report concludes by calling for more action to be taken to prevent and punish crimes against animals.