A dog tied up and abandoned in the sun dies of starvation in Varcaturo.

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Dog Tied and Abandoned in the Sun Dies of Starvation in Varcaturo 8my9

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Giugliano – Another story of profound animal cruelty has shocked the community. A brown mixed-breed dog was found dead in a private courtyard in Varcaturo, on Via Madonna del Pantano, after being tied to an exercise bike and left for days in the scorching sun.

The animal, abandoned by its owner who had left for vacation, died of thirst, hunger, and the serious injuries it had sustained in its desperate attempt to free itself.

The macabre discovery, documented in photos posted on social media by animal rights activist Enrico Rizzi, went viral online, sparking a wave of outrage. The discovery was reported to MP Francesco Emilio Borrelli and the OIPA animal rights group.

By the time they arrived on the scene, it was too late: the dog had already died after days of agony.

The complaint and the problem of abandonment

The dog's body, covered in injuries, was seized for examination. Investigations revealed that the owner, a local teacher, had left for vacation. The woman had entrusted the two dogs to an immigrant, who was later identified and reported. Another dog belonging to the same woman, found loose in another yard, was also seized.

"An undignified story," commented Congressman Borrelli, emphasizing the need to toughen penalties for animal abandonment. "Unfortunately, those who commit these crimes often get away with it due to the statute of limitations. Action must be taken to ensure justice," Borrelli stated.

The plight of "at-risk" dogs and a call for a culture of respect

This latest episode of cruelty shines a spotlight on a tragic summer phenomenon: pet abandonment. Many people, unable or unwilling to organize their four-legged friends' care during the holidays, abandon them to their fate.

As Nando Cirella, coordinator of the OIPA animal protection team, explained, the animal's death was likely due to heatstroke, a veterinary emergency that occurs when the animal's body temperature rises uncontrollably. "It happens all too often that owners go on vacation and leave their animals at home, but if there's no one to care for them, the consequences can be fatal," Cirella said.

The tragic event in Varcaturo is a warning to all pet owners: caring for and respecting our four-legged friends is a responsibility that lasts 365 days a year, even on vacation.

What does the dog owner risk?

In this case, the owner of the dog who abandoned it in the sun in Varcaturo risks being charged with animal cruelty, a crime provided for and punishable by Article 544-ter of the Italian Penal Code. The penalty for this offense can range, depending on the severity, from three to eighteen months in prison or a fine of €5.000 to €30.000.

If the abuse results in the animal's death, as in this specific case, the penalties are even more severe and can include imprisonment from four months to two years. The cruelty and negligence demonstrated by the owner, who left the animal tied up and unsheltered in a scorching heat, aggravate their situation.

An additional charge could involve animal abandonment (Article 727 of the Penal Code), a crime that carries a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine of €1.000 to €10.000. In this case, however, the abandonment resulted in an even more serious consequence, namely the death of the animal, and therefore the primary charge is more likely to be animal cruelty.

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