An Italian sniffer dog, Bruno, has been killed in a gruesome act that has sparked widespread condemnation. The seven-year-old bloodhound, celebrated for locating nine missing people throughout his career, ingested sausages filled with nails that were tossed into his kennel, as reported by his trainer Arcangelo Caressa.
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly decried the "vile, cowardly, unacceptable" act in a post on X, thanking Bruno for his dedicated service. Caressa, who viewed Bruno as a "brother," reported discovering the injured dog in his kennel at the Endas search and rescue training center in Taranto, Puglia. “Today I died with you,” he expressed, mourning the loss of his loyal companion who dedicated his life to saving others, only to fall victim to human cruelty.
Caressa explicitly stated that he is aware of who committed this horrendous act and is determined to ensure they face consequences. There is speculation that Bruno was targeted in retaliation for his involvement in dismantling dog fighting operations. In the days leading up to Bruno's death, Caressa reportedly received death threats, underscoring that this was a premeditated attack rather than a random act of violence.
Italian MP and animal welfare advocate Michela Vittoria Brambilla urged authorities to pursue justice for Bruno, suggesting that his death was orchestrated due to his role in tackling illegal dog fighting. A newly enacted law allows for prison sentences of up to four years and heavy fines for killing animals with cruelty. Brambilla has called for the law's enforcement, emphasizing the need for accountability in Bruno's "long and painful death" resulting from internal bleeding caused by the nails.
“We owe it to this noble animal,” she asserted, reflecting the national sentiment of outrage and the urgency for justice in this tragic case.
