How distant seem the days when summer discussions about animal rights focused solely on the issue of abandonment and stray animals. This year, the welfare and legislation concerning our four-legged friends are receiving a new level of attention, expressed through many different initiatives.

A case in point? The Codice sul diritto animale, a volume produced by Andrea Cristofori, head of the Lega anti vivisezione (Lav) for dog shelters, and Alessandro Fazzi, a consultant for Lav. The volume, available for purchase on the website Cassazione.net and in bookshops from October, contains every detail on the responsibilities of private individuals and institutions, ranging across international principles and domestic provisions. The collection also offers detailed updates on abandonment, mistreatment, euthanasia, and the adoption of dogs and cats. All of this is enriched by the invaluable contribution of Raffaele Guariniello, former public prosecutor in Turin and a great champion of animal rights, who guides the reader through an examination of civil law profiles and the criminal and administrative protection afforded by relevant laws and rulings.

For the Supreme Court, it's not just abandonment

In a society that is developing a different understanding of animal welfare, the very concept of abandonment is broadening. And legislation is keeping pace.

"The abandonment of animals is an offence that our legal system provides for and punishes under article 727 of the penal code," explains lawyer Francesca Gentilini. The article in question reads, verbatim:

Anyone who abandons domestic animals or animals that have acquired habits of captivity shall be punished with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of between 1,000 and 10,000 euros.

But it is worth noting how the legislator goes beyond the pure concept of abandonment. "The same penalty applies to anyone who keeps animals in conditions incompatible with their nature," continues lawyer Gentilini, "causing them severe suffering. In plain terms, the concept of abandonment, in the view of the Court of Cassation, must encompass not only total and definitive separation from the animal, but also indifference, neglect, lack of attention and disregard."

What to do in practice if you find an abandoned dog

"If you find an abandoned animal, the first step is to call the Local Police, or the Veterinary Service of the local health authority (Asl), or the Ente nazionale protezione animali (Enpa). You can also contact one of the many volunteer associations that deal with abandonment. Once recovered, the animal will be taken to a registered shelter where it will be kept under observation for ten days, after which, if the owner cannot be traced, it will be available for adoption," explains Cinzia Cortelezzi, veterinary surgeon.

For the prompt identification of an abandoned dog or cat, the microchip plays an important role: when "read" with a special decoder, it allows the legitimate owner to be traced immediately. "This is why the practice of fitting dogs with a microchip at the time of purchase or adoption," concludes Cortelezzi, "is essential for limiting and containing the scourge of abandonment and the consequent problem of stray animals."

The new laws on animal rights

New legislative developments in the field of animal rights and growing public awareness are paving the way for important new steps.

"This very summer we are working on an update to the Regulation on the Protection of Animals of the municipality of Rome. It is an excellent text, but it dates from 2005 and therefore needs updating and further improvements," says Edgar Meyer, who in Rome is part of the staff of the councillorship for Environmental Sustainability with responsibility for Animal Welfare.

Also in Rome, a memorandum of understanding is being developed with animal welfare associations that have zoophilic guards among their ranks. "In the near future, we plan," Meyer continues, "to deploy 180 zoophilic guards across the territory, with specific functions to combat animal abandonment and mistreatment, coordinated directly by the municipality of Rome."

A summer of campaigns and initiatives for animal rights

In Rome, the campaign Roma ama gli animali e non li abbandona was recently launched. Its exceptional testimonial is Christian De Sica, who lent his face free of charge. Almost 3,000 posters have been put up across the whole of Rome at key points throughout the city (metro stations, museums, railway stations) to raise awareness and a sense of responsibility among residents and tourists alike. "We took inspiration from the film Vacanze Romane," De Sica explained, "except that instead of Audrey Hepburn, I have on my trusty Vespa the little dog Etna, who owes her name to the place where she was found and rescued as a puppy."

For holidaymakers, an online guide has also been prepared by Meyer, Rosalba Matassa and Marzia Novelli, providing information on services available in Rome relating to animals: from veterinary clinics open 24 hours a day to useful numbers for the proper care of your four-legged friend in the city.

Another important initiative on the theme of animal rights is the progressive disappearance of the horses used to pull the Roman "botticelle", which will be replaced by special carriages.

"The botticellari will have three options available to them," explains Edgar Meyer. "The first involves converting their licence to taxi driving, abandoning animal traction. The second involves moving the carriages from the streets of the city centre to the capital's parks, in an environment more suited to the horses' needs and their welfare. The third, finally, is conversion to the botticella elettrica. The horses removed from life on the city's asphalt will be taken in by the Municipality and cared for for the rest of their lives in suitable environments."

The problem of Rome's botticelle was most acute in summer, when air pollution and sweltering heat made the work of the horses used for pulling extremely arduous. In this way, animal rights are safeguarded without having a negative impact on tourism.

Dogs and bicycles

Staying on the theme of animal rights during the summer season, also worth highlighting is the campaign against the bad habit of making your dog run alongside a bicycle on a lead. "The prohibition is expressly provided for by article 182, paragraph 3 of the Highway Code (legislative decree 285/1992 and subsequent amendments), which provides, in the event of a violation, an administrative fine of between 25 and 99 euros," explains Margherita Zanella of Gaia Lex Varese. "This prohibition applies on every road used by motor vehicles."

Read also:

• Estate, i consigli per la dieta perfetta di cani e gatti
• Il cane e il caldo estivo, consigli pratici per proteggerlo dall'afa
• Il cane ansima, come capire quando il respiro veloce è normale e quando invece c'è da preoccuparsi

Many local authorities have issued regulations on the matter aimed at protecting animal welfare. For a dog, running alongside a bicycle is never a spontaneous or enjoyable activity, and can also have serious repercussions on its cardiovascular system. And that is not all. Scorching asphalt can cause problems for the pads of a dog's paws, as it is highly abrasive.

Regarding the dangers posed by heat, we should also mention the Attenti al colpo di calore campaign by Gaia Animali e Ambiente. Heatstroke can be extremely dangerous for our four-legged friends. Every year, in summer, through negligence, limited knowledge of animal physiology or simple distraction, cases of death or serious illness are reported involving animals left locked in cars (even with the windows partially open) in the sun, or on terraces and balconies. The campaign, which aims to raise awareness on the issue, also offers a series of small precautions and tips for combating and coping with heatwaves. And let's not forget the essential welfare needed to ensure the dogs and cats who share our homes live happy lives beside us.