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2 clusters · 18 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Illegal dog-fighting ring dismantling in Gela

Overview

Italian authorities, including the State Police and Carabinieri, dismantled an illegal dog-fighting and gambling network in Gela, Sicily, through an operation named ‘L’inferno dei pitbull’ (The Pitbull Hell). The investigation was initiated after officers discovered a pitbull with severe injuries while searching for a missing small dog.

Investigators identified six suspects, aged 22 to 46, and uncovered a criminal enterprise that organized fights and managed betting amounts that occasionally reached 2,000 euros. The network utilized social media and messaging apps like Telegram to promote matches and distribute videos of the violence. The operation revealed a circuit extending between Sicily and the Campania region.

During the raids, authorities seized 13 pitbulls, including puppies and a pregnant female, as well as training equipment, drugs, and anabolic steroids used to prepare the animals. Animal rights organizations, including Lav and WWF Sicilia Centrale, have responded to the operation, with the latter describing it as a significant blow to ‘zoomafia’ and a victory for animal rights.

Entities

Polizia di Stato · Carabinieri · Gela · LAV · Agrigento

Timeline

  1. 7 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources
    Gela police dismantle illegal dog-fighting ring

    Police in Gela, Italy, dismantled a dog-fighting ring, seizing 13 pitbulls and investigating six individuals for animal cruelty and illegal gambling linked to clandestine fights.

  2. 9 days ago

    [CRIME] 15 sources
    Gela police dismantle illegal dog-fighting and gambling ring

    Italian police dismantled a dog-fighting ring in Gela, seizing 13 pitbulls and identifying six suspects involved in illegal gambling and animal cruelty across several regions.

Sources

cargo-news.com · gdmed.it · grandangoloagrigento.it · himeralive.it · ilgazzettinodigela.it · ilgiornaledigela.it · insiciliareport.it · lacronaca24.it · lazampa.it · metronews.it · napolike.it · politicamentecorretto.com · ragusah24.it · ragusanews.com · siracusapress.it · srlive.it · strettoweb.com · wamiz.it