On January 16, the Court of Reggio Emilia issued a first degree conviction for animal abuse against the owners and an employee of an intensive pig farm in the province of Reggio Emilia. The proceeding arises from a complaint presented by the Associazioneessere Animali, which in 2020 had released a video document capable of bringing violent practices against pigs to public attention. A rare judicial decision in the Italian panorama, where convictions for crimes of this type in the livestock sector still remain sporadic.
The images and the investigation
The video footage, taken by a farm worker using a hidden camera, showed animals hit with kicks and blunt objects, lifted by the ears or moved with agricultural vehicles. The images caused a strong media impact and led to the breaking of commercial relations between the breeding farm and the Fratelli Beretta company, of which the facility was a supplier. The association was admitted as a civil party in the trial.
Ascertained responsibilities
The sentence recognized the crime of animal abuse pursuant to art. 544 ter of the Criminal Code for several episodes, including emergency killing carried out in a manner that did not comply with the law. In particular, some pigs were subjected to stunning without subsequent igulation, causing prolonged agony. The procedure, envisaged to avoid unnecessary suffering, was found to be applied in violation of the rules.
The sentences
The worker involved was sentenced to six months of suspended prison, the managing partner to four months of imprisonment, while another partner received a fine of 4,000 euros. All were also ordered to suspend animal breeding, transport and trade activities for six months, as well as compensation for damages and payment of legal costs in favor ofessereanimali.
The judicial process
The proceedings, which lasted almost two years and over ten hearings, saw the testimony of numerous witnesses, including former workers. Some charges, such as keeping animals in incompatible conditions, were barred by statute of limitations, while a charge for abusive practice of the veterinary profession was excluded, although the facts relevant to the mistreatment remained.
A signal for the sector
According to the È Animali Association, the decision represents a warning for the entire livestock sector and demonstrates how violations in intensive farming are not isolated incidents. The sentence confirms that even within the Made in Italy supply chains criminally relevant behavior can occur and it is therefore necessary to pay more attention to more effective controls and real protection of animals, already provided for by the law.
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