A pitbull with cropped ears wandered the streets of Marcianise: seized, owner reported.

A pit bull with cropped ears was left wandering along a provincial road in Marcianise, in the Caserta province. This situation prompted the intervention of the Caserta Provincial Police, whose officers recovered the animal, secured it, and seized it. The owner, a 43-year-old man living in the city, has been charged with suspected animal cruelty.

The six-year-old white dog was spotted during a patrol coordinated by Commander Biagio Chiariello. Its presence on the roadway posed a potential danger both to traffic and to the animal's safety. Staff from the Caserta Local Health Authority (ASL) were called in to rescue the dog, and they assisted in securing its safety.

Ear cropping at the centre of the investigations

Subsequent checks allowed officers to identify the owner and investigate the pit bull's condition. During the investigation, a significant finding emerged: the dog's ears were cropped, a practice prohibited unless justified by proven therapeutic needs.

The man was summoned to the Provincial Police headquarters to provide clarification on the animal's injury. According to investigators, he was unable to document the reasons for the injury. The evidence gathered led to a report to the competent Public Prosecutor's Office, alleging animal cruelty. The man's criminal liability will be determined in court.

The seizure and the checks on the documents

During the identification procedures, further investigations were also carried out on the document presented by the 43-year-old, which was found to lack the integrated microchip required for an electronic identity card, according to a statement from the Provincial Police.

At the end of the operation, the pit bull was seized and entrusted to the necessary care, to ensure its protection and safety.

Animal welfare checks

The operation is part of the territorial surveillance and control activities carried out by the Caserta Provincial Police, which is also committed to combating animal welfare violations. The operation is part of the agency's efforts, led by President Anacleto Colombiano, to verify compliance with regulations and intervene in situations where possible mistreatment is identified.

The Marcianise case draws attention to the issue of dog ear cropping for non-therapeutic purposes and the importance of monitoring to identify and combat prohibited practices, protecting animals and ensuring their adequate care.

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