Castel Volturno – A routine check turned into an investigation into animal abuse and illegal construction. Late this morning, Carabinieri officers from the Castel Volturno station, along with veterinarians from the local health authority (ASL) and municipal technicians from the Urban Planning and Productive Activities departments, discovered a malnourished dog locked in an illegal kennel on Via Luigi Boccherini, in the heart of a residential area on the outskirts of the city center.
What was supposed to be a simple inspection turned out to be a new case of animal cruelty, in an area that too often makes the news for episodes of degradation, abandonment, and neglect.
The discovery: a dog reduced to skin and bones
In the courtyard of a private home, the military found three dog kennels built without any authorization, precarious structures made of sheet metal and wooden planks, without ventilation or minimal hygienic conditions.
Inside one of these enclosures, a mixed-breed dog with pitbull-like features was forced to live in his own excrement, without food or water, in a state of obvious malnutrition, and without an identification microchip.
The ASL veterinarians, who arrived on the scene, immediately provided first aid to the animal and arranged for its transfer to a protected facility.
The property's owner, a 35-year-old resident of Castel Volturno, was reported at large for animal abuse and abandonment, as well as illegal construction work.
The entire area, including the illegal buildings, has been placed under criminal seizure, while the Judicial Authority of Santa Maria Capua Vetere has been informed of the facts.
A phenomenon that never stops
What was discovered today is not an isolated case.
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Just in September, another military intervention led to the seizure of five puppies found locked in a dilapidated shed in Ischitella, while a few weeks ago in Mondragone a German shepherd was rescued near death after days without water.
Law enforcement, along with veterinarians and volunteers from local associations, are trying to monitor the phenomenon, which is increasingly intertwined with widespread lawlessness and the urban decay of part of the Domitian coast.
The words of the investigators
"It's a complex area, where social hardship is compounded by environmental crimes and a lack of enforcement. But every episode like this demonstrates that vigilance is in place and that awareness of animal welfare is growing," said a Carabinieri officer involved in the operation.
Meanwhile, the dog rescued on Via Boccherini has been temporarily placed in a shelter, where he will be cared for and monitored by veterinarians. His condition, according to the ASL, is "serious but stable," and he could soon be put up for adoption.
Castel Volturno continues to struggle with a multitude of social and environmental issues: landfills, illegal construction, crime, and, last but not least, the problem of stray dogs.
Local animal rights activists have long been denouncing the lack of a suitable municipal kennel and the lack of comprehensive checks: "Every week," explain volunteers from the Zampa Libera Domitia association, "we receive reports of animals tied to chains, locked in kennels, or abandoned in fields. It's a silent tragedy that must be addressed seriously and with resources."
Comments (2)
I read about the Carabinieri intervention, but I don't understand how such things can happen in a residential area. Animals deserve better treatment, and checks should be more frequent to prevent abuse.
It's truly sad to see how animals are neglected and mistreated. I hope the authorities do more to protect these vulnerable creatures and punish those who behave irresponsibly.