The Municipality of Foggia defends itself – “Unfounded and exploitative accusations regarding the kennel and Black’s death” – and it does so through the councilor for social policies, Simona Mendolicchio, delegate for animal welfare. “I am a veterinary doctor with decades of experience in the protection of animal welfare, who has always been sensitive and close to every problem inherent to both pets and livestock: I am therefore the last person to accuse of lack of attention in this scope”, explains Mendolicchio in a note.
Black, found his death in the Enpa shelter in via Tratturo Camporeale, where he had recently been transferred. He had gotten his head stuck in the net and the dogs from the adjacent box had attacked him, causing his death.
“As councilor with responsibility for animal welfare and stray animals, since I took office and on several occasions I have received representatives of the associations – obviously including the ladies Alessandra Ludovica Pieretti and Terry Marangelli – and individual citizens, listened to and collected their requests and proposals and have I myself expressed to them the objectives that the administration intends to pursue”.
“As regards the municipal kennel, accidents and problems have not been lacking in the past, as people with declared long experience should well remember: exploiting a death that saddens so many of us sincerely does not deserve any response. However, I feel it is my duty to inform you that I requested an urgent inspection by the veterinary services of the Foggia ASL and the local police, and I arranged for the carcass of the Black dog to be sent to the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Foggia to ascertain the causes of death”, precise.
“Equally specious is the controversy over non-existent shadows relating to the tender and assignment of the kennel, which took place in full compliance with the provisions of the regulations in force. It is the firm will of the undersigned and of the administration to guarantee the best conditions of permanence at “inside the facility for dogs awaiting adoption, also through projects already started with local associations, and supervise its regular management”, he concludes.
