Mistreatment of Setters in Siponto: An Appeal to the Authorities
Dear Editorial Staff,
Good morning my name is [Nome], a regular jogger in the Siponto area and along the road that leads to Pulsano. During my running sessions, I came across a desolate and worrying scene several times: some cages, better defined as torture instruments, containing Setter breed dogs, the well-known hunting dogs. These cages, approximately one meter by one meter, are a clear example of animal abuse.
I often wonder, if I can see these cages during my runs, why the competent authorities, in particular the forest rangers, do not intervene. It is clear that the dimensions of the cages do not comply with current animal welfare regulations. Italian law establishes precise requirements regarding the size of cages to guarantee the welfare of the animals, which are certainly not respected in this case.
Animal abuse is a crime clearly defined and punished by the Italian penal code. Article 544-ter of the penal code, in fact, provides for severe sanctions for anyone who causes unjustified suffering to an animal, with penalties that can include both fines and imprisonment. Furthermore, it is important to underline that the sanitary conditions in which these Setters are kept are deplorable: I have often noticed water or food bowls placed next to the animals’ excrement.
I therefore turn to the relevant bodies to ask for rigorous and timely control of these situations. It is essential that forest rangers and other relevant authorities carry out regular inspections to ensure that animals are treated with dignity and respect, as required by law. Their inaction not only perpetuates the suffering of these dogs, but also represents a failure to ensure compliance.
In this election period, I hope that local authorities and election candidates will pay attention to these issues. It is essential that anyone in positions of responsibility demonstrates commitment and seriousness in protecting animal rights. Animal protection is a significant indicator of the degree of civilization of a society.
I appeal to all relevant authorities to take prompt action to put an end to these acts of cruelty towards Setters and to ensure that current laws are respected. Only through joint and determined commitment can we hope to improve the lives of these animals and prevent further mistreatment. Thanks for the attention.
This article aims to raise public awareness and the competent authorities regarding a situation of evident animal mistreatment, in the hope that concrete measures can be taken – with effective confirmation of what has been reported – to guarantee the well-being of the animals involved.
