Italian municipalities impose heat‑wave safeguards for pets and seniors

In the Campania town of Montesarchio, Mayor Carmelo Sandomenico issued Ordinance No. 19 on 22 July 2026 to protect companion animals during the summer heat. The measure bans keeping dogs, cats and other pets on balconies, terraces, courtyards or in parked vehicles when exposed to direct sunlight without adequate shade, ventilation, fresh water or shelter. Owners must ensure continuous access to water, shade and safe shelter, and violations carry fines of €25‑€500, enforced by local police. The ordinance is effective until 30 September 2026, subject to extension.

Meanwhile, in Carmagnola, Piedmont, the Spi‑Cgil retirees’ union and the Auser Carmagnola association have written to the municipal Social Policies Office urging the council to coordinate emergency actions for frail elderly residents. They cite the regional “Piano Emergenza Caldo” and recommend measures such as climate‑controlled shelters, home‑visit medical support, food and grocery deliveries, and regular telephone check‑ins to mitigate the prolonged extreme temperatures that have afflicted the area for over a month.