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In Italy, the Ministry of Health is responsible for animal welfare. Each province within Italy has an official appointed to the Office of Animal Rights. Their main objective is to address stray and abandoned animal issues. Italy also has passed legal protections for animals, as well as being home to several animal rights organizations.
On November 13, 1987, Italy signed the European Convention on the protection of pets, a treaty of the Council of Europe for Companion Animals ensuring minimum protection standards are met.
Legislative decree No. 281/1991 states the standards for the treatment of companion and stray animals. It states that an owner must register dogs, and anyone who abandons their animals will be fined. It also prohibits the killing of stray dogs and cats unless the animal is affected by an incurable disease or is a proven danger. These killings can only be performed by a veterinarian.
In 2006, Italy's first arrest for animal mistreatment occurred when a man repeatedly tossed his dog into wall injuring its back. [1]
In June 2017, Italy's highest court ruled that lobsters could not be kept on ice before being cooked. [2]
In November 2017, the Italian Parliament passed a bill to ban circus animals over the following year. [3]
Following the 2018 death of a popular rescue dog named Kaos who saved people during the August 2016 Central Italy earthquake, animal rights activists, including the organization Animalisti Italiani, called for strengthened civil rights for non-human animals. [4]
In December 2021, the Italian Budget Senate Committee approved a ban on fur farming starting from 30 June 2022. [5]
In February 2022, the Italian Parliament approved a law to change the Constitution of Italy to include that the state must safeguard both animals and the natural environment (ecosystems and biodiversity) "in the interest of future generations." [6]
The protection of animals kept for farming purposes conveys to the farming community conditions for all species of animals kept for the production of food, wool, skin, fur, etc. The law states that animals should be provided with food, water, care, and any other factor needed to satisfy the overall well- being of the animal. Animals should be given freedom of movement and satisfactory environmental conditions. Also animals, that require the constant attention of humans should be inspected at least once a day. In the event of breeding, no procedure that is likely to cause suffering or harm must not be carried out. No animal should be kept for farming purposes if it is considered a danger to their health. [7]
In Italy, Legislative Decree No. 146/2001 implements Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. Animals are defined as being any animal, including fish, reptiles and amphibians bred or kept for the production of foodstuffs, wool, leather, furs or for other agricultural purpose. The Decree excludes invertebrates and experimental animals, animals living in the wild, and animals destined to participate in competitions, exhibitions, events, cultural/sporting events. [7]
All individuals involved in the transportation of live animals entering or leaving the EU should not transport animals or cause animals to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to them. Long journeys, exceeding a maximum of 8 hours are prohibited unless the means of transport has been inspected and approved under Article 18. [8]
At the time of slaughter, animals should be spared any unbearable pain or suffering. Animals should be stunned prior to being slaughtered, ensuring animals are unconscious until death. Workers should take in consideration that unconsciousness is maintained throughout the whole process. [8]
Zoos should be licensed and should implement conservation measures. The maintenance of a high standard of animal husbandry suited to the individual needs of each animal is required. Stress-free Environmental factors such as zoo enclosure sizes, temperature and furnishing are important for animal welfare. Animal welfare transportation laws are applicable. Wild Animals will be given the chance to adapt to transportation before departures. [8]
Keeping animals in conditions ‘incompatible with their nature’ and producing ‘grave suffering’ is prohibited.
Animal rights organizations in Italy include: [9] [4]
Animal welfare is the well-being of non-human animals. Formal standards of animal welfare vary between contexts, but are debated mostly by animal welfare groups, legislators, and academics. Animal welfare science uses measures such as longevity, disease, immunosuppression, behavior, physiology, and reproduction, although there is debate about which of these best indicate animal welfare.
Fur farming is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of animals for their fur.
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse, animal neglect or animal cruelty, is the infliction by omission (neglect) or by commission by humans of suffering or harm upon non-human animals. More narrowly, it can be the causing of harm or suffering for specific achievements, such as killing animals for entertainment; cruelty to animals sometimes encompasses inflicting harm or suffering as an end in itself, referred to as zoosadism.
Animal welfare and rights in Israel is about the treatment of and laws concerning nonhuman animals in Israel. Israel's major animal welfare law is the Animal Protection Law, passed in 1994, which has been amended several times since. Several other laws also related to the treatment of animals: Rabies Ordinance, 1934; Fishing Ordinance, 1937; Public Health Ordinance, 1940; Wildlife Protection Law, 1955; Plants Protection Law, 1956; Criminal Procedure Law, 1982; Animal Disease Ordinance, 1985; National Parks, Nature Reserves, National Sites and Memorial Sites Law, 1991; the Law of Veterinarians, 1991; Dog Regulation Law, 2002; Rabies Regulations (Vaccinations), 2005; and Prohibition on declawing cats unless for reasons vital to the cat's health or owner's health, 2011.
Animal welfare and rights in the People's Republic of China is a topic of growing interest. China has had limited animal protections by international standards, and animal-rights activists have condemned the treatment of animals in the country. Movements towards animal welfare and animal rights are expanding in China, including among homegrown Chinese activists, but face resistance from nationalists.
Animal Politics EU, formerly Euro Animal 7, is a group of animal rights parties in European Union countries.
Animal welfare and rights in India regards the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in India. It is distinct from animal conservation in India.
Animal welfare and rights in Malaysia is about the laws concerning and treatment of non-human animals in Malaysia. Malaysia has had a national animal welfare law since 1953, though it was criticized for being weak and under-enforced. In 2015, Malaysia passed an updated animal welfare law strengthening protections for animals and penalties for animal cruelty. Animal protection efforts in Malaysia appear to be exclusively welfare-driven rather than rights-driven.
Animal welfare and rights in South Korea is about the laws concerning and treatment of non-human animals in South Korea. South Korea's animal welfare laws are weak by international standards. There are a handful of animal welfare and rights organizations working in South Korea, which appear to be focused largely on the welfare of companion animals and the dog meat trade.
Animal welfare and rights in Brazil is about the laws concerning and treatment of non-human animals in Brazil. Brazil is a leading producer of animal products, and its allowance of intensive animal farming methods such as extreme confinement make farm animal welfare a major concern.
Animal welfare and rights in Austria is about the treatment of and laws concerning nonhuman animals in Austria. Austria has relatively advanced animal welfare laws by international standards.
Animal welfare and rights in Russia is about the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in Russia. Russia has highly limited animal welfare protections by international standards.
Animal welfare and rights in Mexico regards the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in Mexico.
Animal rights are distinguishable from animal welfare. In general, the term "animal rights" is the belief that humans do not have a right to use animals for their own purposes. "Animal welfare", on the other hand, is the belief that humans do have a right to use animals as long as the animals are treated humanely. Globally, animals have been gaining importance over the years. Particularly, in Argentina, people have also fought and continue to fight for their rights. Although many people show disinterest in animals, others fight for their protection and wellbeing. Due to the collaboration of several protectionists, both domestic and wild animals have become of great importance to Argentine society. In addition, both population and governments have put emphasis on their rights, the campaigns against animal abuses, and, essentially, the 14.346 Act that has been passed on as regards animal safety in Argentina. Furthermore, there are also different entities that specifically refer to animal rights and animal protection, either by the Argentinian government or by independent organizations; therefore, in Argentina there has been a whole mobilization from around the 1950s aimed at raising awareness among the population about the importance of animals as living beings and how fundamental it is to know about their rights and how to enforce them, since they have suffered a great deal throughout history.
Animal welfare and rights in France is about the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in France. France has moderate animal welfare protections by international standards.
Animal welfare and rights in Denmark relates to the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in Denmark. Denmark has moderately strong protections for animals by international standards. In 2014 and again in 2020, Denmark received a B grade on the A–G scale of the World Animal Protection's Animal Protection Index.
Animal welfare and rights in the Netherlands is about the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has moderately strong animal protections by international standards.
Animal welfare and rights in Switzerland is about the treatment of and laws concerning non-human animals in Switzerland. Switzerland has high levels of animal welfare protection by international standards.
Four Paws is a global animal welfare organisation based in Vienna, Austria. The organisation is focusing on gradually improving the living conditions of animals under direct human influence, by revealing suffering, rescuing animals in need and protecting them.
Animal rights vary greatly among countries and territories. Such laws range from the legal recognition of non-human animal sentience to the absolute lack of any anti-cruelty laws, with no regard for animal welfare.
