In a city of Lombardy it is It is forbidden to feed to all wild animals (such as swans, ducks or seagulls) e strays (dogs and cats). Those who do so risk being sanctioned with a fine of up to 500 euro.
The provision was signed on Friday 7 October by the mayor of LeccoMauro Gattinoni, who has extended the ordinance in force since 2019 which prohibits feeding otters.
It is forbidden to feed wild and stray animals
Animal welfare associations are understandably against this provision which they consider to be a real mistreatment of animals. If this measure is not revoked, they are ready to appeal to the Regional Administrative Court (TAR).
Leading the fight against the decision of the Lecco municipality is the Italian League for the Defense of Animals and the Environment (Leida), led by the deputy Michela Vittoria Brambillawho exclaimed:
“Not feeding wild animals in order not to humanize them is right, but including stray animals is a violation of the law.”
The explanations of the municipality of Lecco
The municipal administration stated that this measure was adopted for reasons of public hygiene: the goal is to avoid the proliferation of mice that could be attracted by the food left in the street by passers-by.
Only the authorized feline colonies fromLocal Health Protection Agency who will continue to receive daily meals from volunteers.
What does the Leiden think?
La Leida drew up a notesigned by the president Michela Vittoria Brambilla, which highlights the disapproval of animal rights associations regarding the affair:
«Mayor Mauro Gattinoni revoke the provision or we will appeal to the TAR. The stray-hungry ordinances are a national shame, an artifice that local administrators use to disguise their inability to manage the problem of stray animals or wildlife in the urban context. “
Among the accusations of Leiden there is also the failure to build the municipal kennelwhich was «already promised in the past […] of the former mayor Virginio Brivio and never built ».
And he adds:
“Gattinoni sends the dogs caught in Lecco to Lissone and does not provide a public utility service to the citizens. It is the only provincial capital in northern Italy that does not have its own kennel – concludes Brambilla -. The mayor be ashamed and rather help the volunteers who take care of the animals instead of him ».
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