06.04.2025
Category: General News
The Italian Senate has officially passed Bill AS 1308, a significant legislative advancement aimed at reinforcing animal protection across the country. The bill, previously approved by the Chamber under the name AC 30, introduces comprehensive amendments to the criminal code, criminal procedure code, and related provisions to address and deter crimes against animals, including the brutal practice of dogfighting.
One of the key aspects of the new law is the redefinition of the criminal code’s Title IX bis, replacing the outdated concept of “Crimes against the human sentiment toward animals” with the clearer and more progressive “Crimes against animals.” This change reinforces the idea that animals are deserving of legal protection in their own right, as sentient beings, not merely as subjects whose suffering might offend human sensitivity.
The bill also significantly increases penalties for acts of cruelty, including the killing of animals without necessity, mistreatment, and violations of the ban on unauthorized animal fighting or competitions. In particular, sentences for organizing or participating in animal fights have been increased, aiming to better deter those involved in these violent and illegal activities.
Additionally, the law introduces harsher penalties for crimes committed in aggravating circumstances, such as in the presence of minors or against multiple animals, as well as for the dissemination of videos or images of such acts via digital platforms. This is a critical step in tackling the spread of animal cruelty content online.
“The final approval of AS 1308 represents another important step in the protection of animals in Italy. We’ve made further progress towards the full recognition of non-human animals as sentient beings and victims of crimes, finally overcoming the outdated concept of exclusively protecting the ‘human sentiment’ towards them. We are pleased with the increase in penalties for dogfighting, a criminal activity that we have been combating for years through the ‘Io non combatto project,’ and the expansion of penalties to anyone participating in dogfighting in any capacity,” said Alessandro Fazzi, institutional relations consultant for Humane World for Animals Italy.
“We hope that it will soon be possible to intervene to offer even greater protection for minors, and also to introduce specific social rehabilitation programs for all those who commit crimes against animals, starting with those who participate in dog fights,” continued Fazzi. “By combining these requests with what has been approved today, our country will be able to take truly significant steps toward a more advanced legal civilization.”
A notable provision also addresses the management and recovery of animals seized in criminal proceedings. Under the new legislation, these animals can now be permanently assigned to certified organizations that can provide care and rehabilitation, helping to ensure they are not left in limbo during often-lengthy legal processes. The bill further includes a nationwide ban on keeping dogs chained, a practice often linked to dogfighting, except in strictly defined health or safety circumstances.
“The recently approved bill marks a significant step forward for all those who dedicate themselves every day to the protection of animals. It is a strong signal that strengthens the recognition of animals as sentient beings, deserving of direct protection. It also represents a concrete evolution on an operational level, particularly for the management of animals who are victims of crimes, taken from criminal circuits, and placed under judicial seizure,” said Federica Faiella, president of Fondazione Cave Canem, “I’m especially thinking of the dogs involved in fighting: this law finally recognizes their right to be immediately placed on a path of psychological and physical recovery and, where possible, welcomed into a family setting. This avoids the paradox of animals saved from abuse who remain trapped in the judicial system for years, confined to detention facilities.”
Although some proposed amendments, such as dedicated funding for law enforcement training or the ban on the import and export of hunting trophies from endangered species, were not included in the final version, the bill nonetheless marks a decisive move forward. It modernizes Italy’s approach to animal welfare by aligning legal language and enforcement practices with contemporary views on animal rights and ethical treatment.
By recognizing animals as victims of crime and ensuring stronger legal and institutional tools to protect them, this bill lays the groundwork for more robust animal welfare policies in the future. It sends a clear message that cruelty against animals will be met with serious consequences and that animal protection is a core part of a civilized, humane society.
You know; we campaigners in the welfare / rights movement have a saying; it goes:
‘Everybody has gone through something that has changed them in a way that they could never go back to the person they once were’.
Jill is very much one such person that was changed by something she saw one day – her visit to a bear bile farm; and covertly diverting off down into the vaults to see the actual reality of this disgusting business, was the time, place and specific moment when her world changed forever. Jill says:
** Please refer to the photograph above. **
‘This is Hong, and I must tell you now ,,,,, this was the first and last time I ever saw her.
She never made it out of this farm; but this is the very moment ‘Animals Asia’ began.
By reaching out her paw to me, she started a movement.
Because of you, Hong has saved countless of her Moon Bear brothers and sisters from her own fate.
I still think about her so often – Please, for Hong, for Crescent, for ever set of precious paws still out there, will you give a gift today ?
We have the utmost respect for Jill – Animals Asia has grown from basically nothing at the start; to now what is one of the best and most professional campaign organisations in the world – take a look:
https://www.animalsasia.org/intl/social/jills-blog/
Photo – Animals Asia.
https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/about-us/who-we-are.html
https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/about-us/leadership/
Photos – Animals Asia
https://www.animalsasia.org/intl/our-work/bear-sanctuaries/
https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/our-work/end-bear-bile-farming/
Photo – Animals Asia
https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/our-work/cat-and-dog-welfare/
https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/our-work/captive-animal-welfare-program/
Above – Jill
Below – Jill feeding one of the newly rescued bears.
We urge you please to give anything financially that you can to this wonderful organisation.
https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/donate/
Thank You – for those who have begun; and for those still waiting for a new life of freedom; Mark and Diana.
Published: June 03, 2025
Grand Rapids, Minn. – An Itasca County man is facing a slew of charges because Itasca County deputies found “piles” of dead goats, apparently neglected to death, on property where he was living.
Itasca County deputies made the grim discovery on property in Bovey where 42-year-old Jacob Langeslag was staying with his goats – documents state there were three “piles” of dead goats in addition to additional goat carcasses that were “cleaned down to the bone” south of the property.
“They reportedly saw multiple goat legs hanging off the roof of the trailer that they say appeared to be ripped off the dead goats.”
An estimated 92 dead goats were found on the property where Langeslag lived; Valley News Live outlines the neglect the goats suffered:
“It was also observed during the search that there were several buckets within the fenced area with the surviving goats, all were empty but one. The other bucket was reportedly half-full of dirty water. There was no available source of water for the goats. It was later learned that Langeslag would drill holes in the nearby swamp and would bring the goats out every so many days for a drink. He also reportedly cut down trees for the goats to eat off of, leading to a serious state of malnutrition. Fecal samples from the surviving goats determined that they were infested with whipworms, strongyles, and coccidia.”
Jacob Langeslag claims he was “sick” during the time that the goats were starved to death. Still, investigators found a Snapchat video showing him at a bar and restaurant hangout called Zorbaz in Grand Rapids during the time he was supposed to be too unwell to care for the goats.
This is not Langeslag’s first time neglecting animals – he has a separate pending case of Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty Charges in Rice County for neglecting a horse.
Starvation is a prolonged, torturous death—each day brings more pain as the body consumes itself, muscles waste away, and the animal grows too weak to cry out. For these 92 goats, it meant dying slowly in fear and confusion, their suffering stretching endlessly while help never came.
Enough is enough. This man must be held accountable for killing these 92 goats! Please add your name to the petition to ensure that Langeslag serves the maximum amount of time behind bars for the 14 counts of Felony Animal Torture, three counts of Overwork/Mistreatment of an Animal- Deprive of food/shelter, and three counts of Disposal of Animal Carcasses.
Find the complete list of charges in this charging document. Note: Omnibus Hearing is scheduled on 07/16/2025 at 1:30 PM
Target: Lead Attorney, Cassidy Louise Villeneuve
WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS:
We, the undersigned, demand that Jacob Langeslag be held accountable for neglecting 92 goats to death. This man’s cruel neglect must be met with the harshest consequences to ensure that he can never inflict such horror on an animal again. The goats in Langeslag’s care suffered greatly before dying – we do not want to see a paltry slap-on-the-wrist for this man; we want significant prison time and a lifetime ban on owning or residing with animals.
Research has consistently shown a strong link between animal cruelty and human violence. Individuals who commit such heinous acts against animals often pose a threat to society as a whole, as animal abuse is frequently a precursor to other violent crimes. Failing to hold this man accountable not only denies justice for the innocent goats whose lives were cruelly stolen but also endangers the community at large. We must send a clear message that such cruelty will not be tolerated.
Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
PLEASE SIGN ON PAGE
https://nationalanimalnews.com/autopsy-reveals-6-wk-old-puppy-didnt-kill-infant/
Updated: May 30, 2025
Queens, NY – An autopsy of a month-old Queens infant who died Tuesday morning has confirmed that a six-week-old puppy in the apartment is not responsible for her death. According to sources, officials originally believed that the mixed breed puppy killed Kiyanna Winfield at the Queensbridge Houses public housing complex.
Baby Kiyanna was reportedly asleep between her parents on Tuesday morning; her mother woke to find the baby with bites on her body and called 911 for help, reports the New York Post.
The police seized the young puppy, believing it was responsible for the baby’s death. But the medical examiner has confirmed that the bites on the infant’s body were made after the baby’s death. The infant’s cause of death is currently unknown, and the case remains under investigation.
The wrongly blamed puppy was taken to Animal Care Centers of NYC – it is unclear what the pup’s fate is.
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((if taken to NYCACC, who have a “reputation”, then the innocent puppy’s fate looks grim ..))
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/explosive-loaded-animal-carcasses-used-by-russians-in-drone-attacks/
June 4, 2025
Russian troops have begun using wild animal carcasses as containers for explosives — they are dropped from drones.
The Para Pax Telegram channel published video and photos of this process.
According to the footage, a pre-assembled explosive charge is inserted into the carcass of a wild animal, then carefully concealed with fabric and the animal’s internal organs before being deployed via drone.
According to the post’s author, these “loaded” carcasses are later dropped from drones, both to mine areas and to carry out targeted strikes on specific positions.
The carcass of a hare with explosives. Photo credits: Para Pax
The use of animal carcasses as explosive devices significantly complicates their detection, posing an increased threat to personnel and potentially leading to unintended casualties.
An image of a drone already equipped with a prepared carcass, ready for transport and deployment, was also published.
It is worth noting that similar cases of booby-trapping objects and animal carcasses have been taking place since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to using animal carcasses, the enemy has also booby-trapped the bodies of its own soldiers and abandoned equipment, aiming to inflict further losses on the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
The carcass of a hare with explosives. Photo credits: Para Pax
In addition to using animals as containers for explosives, Russian forces have also employed animals for logistics and the transportation of military equipment.
Militarnyi previously reported that certain Russian military units have begun receiving donkeys to be used as pack animals for transport purposes.
This may indicate that the donkeys have been assigned to frontline units to support logistics, both directly on the front line and in nearby areas.
Such a drastic measure is likely driven by a shortage of vehicles and unmanned ground platforms capable of performing logistical tasks.
Some of you are perhaps planning their holiday …
https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1247849/jackals-shot-and-hung/
Jackals shot and hung
06.09.2024 • 08:57
Police have launched an inquiry after the public outcry sparked by a video posted on social media showing three dead jackals hanging in two different places in the region of Messinia in southern Greece.
According to a report on Skai TV, the jackals were shot and killed earlier in the week in the village of Xirochori in Mani by an unknown assailant or assailants.
One of the jackals was hung in the village square and two on signposts.
Another atrocity followed when a fox was also hanged in the area.
The incidents were the latest in a long string of reports of animal cruelty in different parts of the country.
In 2023 alone, there were more than 10,000 animal abuse complaints.
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Authorities intensify hunt for suspect in Kypseli cat killings
08.10.2024 • 22:25
Authorities in the central Athens district of Kypseli are stepping up efforts to catch a suspect responsible for the gruesome decapitation of stray cats.
Reports suggest the perpetrator is targeting stray felines and leaving their bodies in various locations, sometimes accompanied by ominous notes.
Residents are growing increasingly alarmed, fearing more attacks. Despite reviewing surveillance footage from the crime scenes, police have yet to uncover any significant leads, but they continue to actively investigate the case.
Since December 14, 2023, five similar incidents have been reported, indicating a possible pattern that points to a single individual behind these heinous acts.
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https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1271570/man-arrested-for-killing-kitten/
Man arrested for torturing and killing kitten
03.06.2025 • 19:38
Police in Thessaloniki have arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of torturing and killing a kitten.
The incident came to light after a video surfaced online showing the man kicking a kitten – believed to have already been injured by traffic – onto the road before deliberately running it over with his car.
The Municipality of Kalamaria, where the alleged incident happened, issued a statement expressing its “anger and disgust,” saying the act “offends the culture of our city.”
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https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1263161/thessaloniki-police-investigate-stray-cat-poisonings/
Thessaloniki police investigate stray cat poisonings
04.03.2025 • 10:39
Police in Thessaloniki are investigating the mass poisoning of 16 stray cats in the Agia Marina district.
A local woman had been taking care of the cats and had given them food, but an unknown individual then added poison to the food, Vasilis Diamantakis, deputy mayor for the environment, told AMNA news agency.
The remains of the poisoned cats have been sent for an autopsy while a sample of the poisoned food has also been kept for examination.
“The police are conducting the necessary checks to identify the perpetrator and are investigating the case through the cameras in the surrounding area. We want the person responsible to be identified and punished so that people understand that there are consequences for such heinous acts,” Diamantakis said.
1 April 2025
European Turtle-dove by: Tony Brindley/Shutterstock
The European Commission has announced EU countries may re-open the hunting season for the European Turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur) in parts of Western Europe if they choose to do so. The reopening follows a three-year hunting pause despite the species’ ongoing decline and weak enforcement of hunting laws.
Hunting of iconic species paused since autumn 2021 will continue pushing species to brink.
European Turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur) in parts of Western Europe if they choose to do so [1]. The reopening follows a three-year hunting pausedespite the species’ ongoing decline and weak enforcement of hunting laws. The moratorium, introduced in 2021, had halted hunting in Spain, France, Portugal, and northwest Italy (Western Flyway) and in 2022 for Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania, and Cyprus (Central-Eastern Flyway). Hunting is a major driver of the species’ decline, yet instead of strengthening protections, the Commission is opening the door to more killing.
The hunting pause worked. Data shows that after years of decline, the Turtle-dove population in the Western Flyway has started to recover [2]. But in the Central-Eastern Flyway, where hunting bans have not been properly enforced, no recovery has been observed. The species continues to be classed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and food shortages from intensive farming and pesticide use, and unsustainable hunting.
Despite these fragile gains, the European Commission has recommended resuming hunting in the Western Flyway for the 2025/2026 season, allowing hunters to kill up to 1.5% of the population. The Commission’s recommendation to end the moratorium was based on three conditions:
- A population increase for at least two consecutive years
- A rise in survival rates
- Effective monitoring, control, and enforcement systems
But one of these conditions has still not been met. While population numbers have improved, the enforcement systems remain weak and unreliable [3]. The Commission is relying on a 1.5% hunting quota, assuming it will be sustainable, but there is no way to ensure that hunters will stick to this limit. The risk is clear. Without proper controls, overhunting will resume, and the species will start declining again.
Barbara Herrero, Senior Nature Conservation Policy Officer at BirdLife Europe, said:
“The Turtle-dove did its part. Left alone, it started to recover. But governments failed to uphold their end of the deal. Instead of fixing weak enforcement and protecting habitats, they’re rushing to lift the ban. This is reckless and shortsighted. We know where this path leads – straight back to the brink. The European Commission should have stood firm and kept the moratorium.”
Meanwhile, in the Central-Eastern Flyway, illegal and unsustainable hunting continues unchecked. The Ionian Islands in Greece remain a hotspot for illegal killing during migration. Malta also continues its unlawful spring hunting of Turtle Doves. BirdLife Europe urges these countries to enforce the hunting ban before it’s too late.
The Turtle-dove is not safe. Without strong protections, we risk another devastating population crash. The European Commission must act responsibly and put nature before politics.
Sick, but nothing surprises us with the US any more these days … more baby lambs for the slaughter – to raise a profit. What exactly is a “nontraditional or ethnic market.”?? Sounds suspicious …
June 03, 2025 10:06 AM
The American Sheep industry says they have seen a lot of changes over the last two decades, but there is one trend they say has helped with profitability.
“We’re seeing a lot of lambs that are going to market and going to the processing at a much lighter weight. The dollar amount is the same. It’s just a lighter-weight animal, so you’re putting in less feed, less input, and less management overall to get the same return. I think a lot of that is just customer preference. We’re seeing a lot of what we’d call the more nontraditional or ethnic market. They like a smaller carcass,” said Peter Orwick, executive director of the American Sheep Industry Association.
AI may soon be able to decode whalespeak, among other forms of communication – but what nature has to say may not be a surprise
harles Darwin suggested that humans learned to speak by mimicking birdsong: our ancestors’ first words may have been a kind of interspecies exchange. Perhaps it won’t be long before we join the conversation once again.
The race to translate what animals are saying is heating up, with riches as well as a place in history at stake. The Jeremy Coller Foundation has promised $10m to whichever researchers can crack the code. This is a race fuelled by generative AI; large language models can sort through millions of recorded animal vocalisations to find their hidden grammars. Most projects focus on cetaceans because, like us, they learn through vocal imitation and, also like us, they communicate via complex arrangements of sound that appear to have structure and hierarchy.
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World Animals Voice 