Verona loves animals. Really. From the end of October, the Venetian city has banned circuses featuring elephants, tigers and lions, and horse-drawn carriages — with horses growing increasingly exhausted and sick — have also been prohibited. And it doesn't stop there. Sterilisation and microchipping are now compulsory for cats, including those in colonies, and it is forbidden to keep pets on balconies or terraces without the possibility of their being able to return inside on their own. For these reasons, the new Animal Welfare Regulation approved on 30 October by the Verona City Council is decidedly pioneering. It represents a significant step forward for all those who love four-legged friends and care about their wellbeing.

Animal rights for a pioneering city

On the subject of animal rights, Verona's new regulation abolishes horse-drawn carriages, making it the first municipality in Italy to do so. It also pays particular attention to rabbits, whose colonies are now officially recognised, and associations are authorised to care for them, carrying out sterilisations to prevent uncontrolled breeding. Among the other bans introduced is one on giving animals — whether pets or not — as prizes, rewards or gifts at festivals, public events or other activities.

It is also forbidden to harass, capture, keep or trade wild fauna, as well as to destroy the breeding sites of these animals. The use of bell collars is also banned, as they can cause neurological disorders. "We thank the municipality and the delegate for animal welfare, and we hope that more and more municipalities will follow the example of the city of Verona when it comes to animal rights," declared Massimiliano D'Errico, coordinator of the Oipa zoophile guards of Verona.

A broad spectrum of rules for animals

Verona's new regulation also allows the mayor to issue orders banning the keeping of animals by individuals who have been convicted of mistreating or killing them, and establishes daytime care facilities for pets, with the possibility of opening structures for the temporary housing of dogs or other privately owned animals. Finally, the text also regulates the keeping of exotic animals, specifying their nature and the terms of purchase. In short, animal rights have truly been protected in Verona. And the example is set to become significant for other Italian cities too.