Brambilla law: stiffer penalties and new offences against animal abuse

Final green light for crimes against animals, after approval on 29 May 2025 in the Senate the law is in force as of today, 1 July 2025. The law marks a definitive paradigm shift: animals are no longer protected as a sign of human affection, but as subjects with rights, in line with the European principle of recognising animals as sentient beings.

The aim of the law is to strengthen the criminal protection of animals, recognised as sentient beings. The measure introduces 15 articles that amend and supplement the Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and Legislative Decree 231/2001. For offences against animals, it increases the punishment up to ⅓ if committed: in the presence of minors; on more than one animal; with dissemination through online tools. The prison term for anyone who owns, participates in or promotes animal fights is increased from 1-3 to 2-4 years. Again, the aggravating circumstances are: in the presence of minors and dissemination of images online. Related to this are the new offences of: breeding and training for fighting and betting on such events. There is also a total ban on using domestic cat fur for commercial purposes. From now on, no more dogs tied to chains either: this is banned nationwide. And even more attention must also be paid to protected species: for killing, capturing, or detaining there is an arrest from 3 months to 1 year with a fine of up to 8,000 euro. Attention must also be paid to exotic animals to be kept in the home, which must not belong to species banned in Italy. And finally also on the origin of puppies to be purchased: their trafficking is from now on punished with imprisonment from 4 to 18 months and a fine from 6 thousand to 30 thousand euro.

In recognition of EU law that declares the recognition of 'animals as sentient beings' there is a significant tightening of penalties for killing and mistreatment, with imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years and a fine of up to 60,000 euro. The penalty is also extended to those who participate; new aggravating circumstances (use of minors, weapons, dissemination of images). Harsher penalties and increased punishment for torture and death. Killing or damaging other people's animals is also reformulated and made more severe with imprisonment from 1 to 4 years. Penalties are increased for those who abandon or fail to identify their pets. A ban is then introduced on 'the killing of the animals involved, which must remain in custody until the end of the trial'.