“Killed with cruelty and dangerous blows”

L’Amarena bear was killed with “cruelty and with dangerous shots”. This was written by the Public Prosecutor of Avezzano, Maurizio Maria Cerrato, in the notice of conclusion of the preliminary investigations in regards to Andrew Leombruni56 years old from San Benedetto dei Marsi (L’Aquila), investigated for having killed the animal.

Leombruni will now be able to view the investigative documents against himhe can ask to be questioned and bring documents or sources of evidence in his defense. The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the bear was reached by a rifle shota 7.62 carbine, and which at the time of the shot was harmless.

The businessman from San Benedetto dei Marsi, during interrogations, told the forestry carabinieri that he had fired a rifle shot at the animal that had entered his property because it would have fear.

However, Amarena was on all fours when she was shot, according to what emerged from the report expertisecarried out by the medical examiner Rosario Fico, upon order of the court of Avezzano and arranged to shed light on the death of the bear which occurred on night of August 31st. L’the animal was therefore not in an attack pose.

Everything was also confirmed by the ballistics report of the major of the Italian Army, Paride Minervini, who attested that it was a intentional shooting and exploded 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.

Dozens of people had arrived at the Prosecutor’s Office complaints by the animal protection organizations after the death of the bear who will take civil action. Among these also the International Animal Protection Organization (Oipa), who comments: “Justice will take its course, even if it does not return Amarena to his children and to this life. But whoever killed her must pay“.

“The Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the bear was harmless at the time of the shot – underlines Oipa – Amarena is yet another victim not only of the danger social of individuals, who are also allowed to carry weapons, but also of climate of hate against large carnivores fomented in Italy by some political leaders. We hope that one will be reached condemnation exemplary towards the person under investigation. We will constitute ourselves civil party in the process.”

The Amarena bear was one of the symbols of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Pnalm). On 5 September the Pnlalm informed that the two Amarena puppies were alive and, after being separated for a short period, had separated reunited and who appeared to be in good shape.