An Italian sniffer dog, known for his heroism, has met a tragic fate after consuming sausages filled with nails that were thrown into his kennel. Bruno, a seven-year-old bloodhound, had garnered admiration for locating nine missing individuals during his illustrious career and had even received accolades from Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.
Meloni expressed her outrage over the incident in a post on X, describing Bruno's killing as "vile, cowardly, unacceptable," and thanked him for his service. The dog's trainer, Arcangelo Caressa, shared his devastation after discovering Bruno lifeless in his kennel at the Endas search and rescue training center in Taranto, Puglia.
Caressa, who viewed Bruno as a "brother," hinted at possible revenge motives behind the attack due to Bruno's involvement in exposing dog fighting rings. He offered a heartfelt tribute: "You fought your whole life to save humans, and now it was a human who did this to you."
In the aftermath, both Italy's police and the prosecutor's office have initiated an investigation. Caressa publicly condemned the culprits, claiming to know their identities, and pledged to ensure they face justice for their heinous act. He also disclosed that he had received threats prior to Bruno's death, insinuating that the attack was a calculated move to intimidate him.
Michela Vittoria Brambilla, an MP and animal rights advocate, has called for the perpetrators to be prosecuted under newly reinforced laws that impose severe penalties for animal torture, potentially including four years in prison and a hefty fine. Highlighting Bruno's painful demise from internal injuries inflicted by the nails, Brambilla emphasized the necessity of justice for the noble dog, stating, "We owe it to this noble animal."
