Italy Passes Tougher Animal Cruelty Law, Criminalising Dogfighting and Chaining Dogs

Senate Passes Bill Targeting Animal Abuse

Bill AS 1308, a historic law intended to improve animal protection, received final approval from the Italian Senate on 30 May. Originally passed by the lower house in November under the name AC 30, the bill redefines animals as legal subjects rather than objects of human sentiment and amends the criminal code to impose harsher penalties for crimes against animals.

Title IX bis of the criminal code, which now expressly acknowledges animal welfare as the main legal concern and not just a reflection of human sensibility, is one of the provisions that the law updates.

Stricter Penalties for Dogfighting and Cruelty

According to the new law, killing an animal needlessly or cruelly carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a fine of up to €60,000.

The new law increases penalties for dogfighting—courts can now sentence organisers to two to four years in prison, while participants in any role may receive up to two years and fines between €5,000 and €30,000.

Courts also impose harsher penalties when the abuse occurs in front of minors, involves multiple animals, or is recorded and shared online.

Ban on Chaining Dogs and New Custody Rules

The legislation also bans the chaining of dogs outdoors, a practice previously regulated only at the regional level. Exceptions will apply only for medical or security reasons.

Article 6 introduces a provision for permanently assigning confiscated animals to authorised associations, subject to a security deposit. This aims to ensure the timely rehabilitation of rescued animals, particularly those seized from dogfighting operations.

Missed Amendments Spark Criticism

While applauding the law as a major step forward, animal welfare organizations criticized the law’s rejection of multiple proposed amendments. Lawmakers rejected a proposal that aimed to fund the care of confiscated animals and provide specialised training for law enforcement.

Advocates warned that without adequate funding, enforcement may not be adequate even with stricter legal requirements. Lawmakers rejected another amendment that aimed to ban the import and export of hunting trophies from species covered by the CITES treaty. Leaving out this measure, according to critics, undermines Italy’s larger efforts to stop animal abuse, particularly as the nation considers loosening its hunting regulations.

Part of a Broader Legislative Shift

Bill AS 1308 comes after Italy banned fur farming in 2021, closing the country’s last mink farms by mid-2022. Campaigns for public health and animal welfare issues served as the impetus for this change, which marked a change in national policy.

Together, these actions show Italy’s recognition of animals as sentient beings deserving of direct legal protection. Although some activists argue that more efforts are needed, the new law takes an important step toward aligning Italy with modern European animal welfare standards.