ABRUZZO – Killing of animals aggravated by cruelty and dangerous explosions in an inhabited place: these are the crimes that the Avezzano prosecutor, Maurizio Maria Cerrato, accuses the 57-year-old from San Benedetto dei Marsi accused of killing the Amarena bear, putting her to flight her two puppies.
The International Animal Protection Organization (Oipa), which immediately filed a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office for the killing of an animal, comments: «We appreciate the prosecutor’s decision, justice will take its course, even if it does not return Amarena to her children and to this life. But whoever killed her must pay.” The Amarena bear, one of the symbols of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Pnalm), was shot dead on the night of August 31st on the outskirts of San Benedetto dei Marsi (AQ). The perpetrator of the crime was immediately identified. On September 5, the Pnlalm reported that the two Amarena puppies were alive and, after being separated for a short period, had been reunited and that they appeared to be in good shape. On November 3, the Park announced that the two orphans, about 10 months old, were doing well.
The notice of closure of the investigation comes after prosecutor Cerrato examined the ballistics report, which confirmed that the suspect shot to kill, not by mistake or to scare the animal. The report states that it was an intentional shot fired from close range. Amarena the bear was hit by a rifle shot with a 12 gauge bullet which hit her in the side and pierced her lung.
«The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the bear was harmless at the time of the shot», underlines the Oipa. «Amarena is yet another victim not only of the social danger of individuals, who are also allowed to carry weapons, but also of the climate of hatred towards large carnivores fomented in Italy by some political leaders. We hope that an exemplary sentence will be reached against the person under investigation. We will be a civil party in the trial.”
