An Italian sniffer dog, celebrated for his significant contributions to search and rescue efforts, was brutally killed after consuming sausages laced with nails, according to his trainer, Arcangelo Caressa. Bruno, a seven-year-old bloodhound, garnered recognition for locating nine missing persons throughout his career and even received accolades from Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who condemned the "vile, cowardly, unacceptable" act.
Caressa expressed his devastation, revealing that he discovered Bruno dead in his kennel at the Endas search and rescue training center in Taranto, Puglia. The trainer described Bruno not just as a pet but as a brother, stating, "You fought your whole life to save humans, and now it was a human who did this to you." He announced on social media, “Today I died with you,” reflecting the profound bond they shared.
Investigations into the incident have been launched by Italy's police and prosecutor's office, while Caressa asserted confidence in knowing the perpetrators and vowed that they "will pay for it." He disclosed that he had received death threats prior to Bruno's demise, implying that this act of cruelty was not random, but a targeted attack meant to intimidate him regarding his stance against dog fighting.
Michela Vittoria Brambilla, an Italian MP and animal rights advocate, has urged swift action from law enforcement to ensure justice for Bruno. She suggested that criminal elements had targeted the dog due to his involvement in confiscating animals from fighting rings. In response to this brutal act, Brambilla advocates for the enforcement of a recently strengthened law that imposes severe penalties for animal cruelty, highlighting the necessity of acknowledging Bruno's suffering during his "long and painful death."
As the investigation unfolds, there is a collective call for accountability and protection for animals, with many demanding the imposition of stiffer penalties to discourage such horrific acts against innocent creatures like Bruno.
