Overview
- The Second Criminal Section of the Tribunal of Lecce on Oct. 28 found the owner, identified as L. Z., guilty of abandonment and mistreatment of an animal.
- The sentence includes a €5,000 administrative fine, compensation to an animal-protection association that joined as a civil party, and payment of legal costs.
- Investigations found the medium-sized dog was kept on a tiny third-floor balcony, sometimes tied with a rope and left without shelter from heat, rain, or cold.
- The animal later died after falling from the balcony, with reports noting a bench near the railing likely enabled the fatal drop.
- The court applied law 20 July 2004, n. 189, with coverage placing the decision in the stricter framework introduced by the 2025 'legge Brambilla'.