"Those who mistreat animals will eventually become cruel to humans as well." Thus stated Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, speaking yesterday in the Senate's Nassiriya room at the presentation of the bipartisan motion to modify the penal statutes on crimes against animals. The Parliamentary Intergroup for Animal Rights and Environmental Protection put forward a proposal that was highly backed by the Keeper of the Seals, who admitted his passion for cats. The Senate President, Ignazio La Russa (who instead has a large dog), did the honors, emphasizing that "badly treating animals is a serious moral and legal disvalue," recalling how the bill is "directly connected to an animal's right, rather than a feeling that the owner feels, because without this modification, an abandoned animal could be mistreated." Michela Vittoria Brambilla, president of the Intergroup and member of parliament for Noi Moderati, described the forthcoming regulations: "Stricter penalties for those who mistreat and kill animals: this is what the entire nation of Italy is requesting, and we all hope that it will occur soon, as the examination of the bill that I initially signed, but which was ultimately signed by every member of the Intergroup, has commenced." "This is a nationally recognized measure; we shall finally end the unfortunate situation of substantial immunity," Brambilla emphasizes. He further elaborates on the provisions of the measure as follows: "Perpetrators of animal cruelty shall face minimum sentences of one year and a maximum of five years in prison; those who kill an animal shall be subject to a minimum sentence of two years and a maximum of six in prison; plea bargaining and parole cannot annul a premeditated detention measure, nor can the monetary sanctuary is no longer an alternative but is combined. The offense of abandoning an animal is now included in Article 727 of the Criminal Code as part of the act of ill-treatment. A substantial prison sentence is also being considered in this case, rather than a monetary penalty, which in the most egregious situations can reach up to 45 thousand euros." "We are pleased to have the Minister of Justice, who is a member of our parliamentary intergroup, as well as the chairman of the Justice Committee, Ciro Maschio, who is introducing this bill in the Chamber, on our side. A law of tolerance that we hope to win soon", he concluded.
|