Gela police dismantle illegal dog-fighting ring

Italian authorities have dismantled a clandestine dog-fighting ring in Gela, Sicily, through an investigation dubbed ‘Inferno dei pitbull’. The operation, conducted by the Gela Police Commissioner and specialized Carabinieri units, resulted in the seizure of 13 pitbulls, including four puppies and one pregnant female.

Investigators identified six suspects, aged between 22 and 46, who face charges including animal cruelty and the organization of illegal fights. The investigation revealed a network involving illegal gambling and the filming of matches, which were shared via private communication channels. Some animals showed injuries consistent with previous fights, and authorities seized drugs, supplements, and anabolic steroids used to prepare the dogs.

The WWF Sicilia Centrale praised the operation, describing it as a significant blow to ‘zoomafia’ and a victory for animal rights in the region. The investigation uncovered a circuit operating between Sicily and Campania.