Young Italian throws cat from a bridge and posts it on social networks

In the community of Lanusei, Italy, a teenager was caught on video throwing a small cat off a bridge, sparking a wave of outrage on social media. The 14-year-old boy was encouraged by a 17-year-old friend, while a third person recorded the incident. The authorities are already investigating the case after receiving multiple complaints.

The Italian League for the Defense of Animals and the Environment (LEIDAA) filed a formal complaint, also requesting the approval of laws that recognize pets as members of the family and that toughen penalties for animal abusers.

The Lanusei Forest Corps has summoned the teenagers involved and their parents to notify them of the complaint.

Due to the outrage on social media, which has escalated to threats against the young man, the municipal government of Lanusei issued a statement condemning both the act of animal abuse and the online violence that affects children and their families.

Michela Vittoria Brambilla, president of LEIDAA, strongly condemned the events, calling them "shameful." Ella brambilla filed a complaint and asked for more intense educational actions, in addition to the approval of bills that include animals in the "family status" and that stiffen penalties for animal abuse.

The outrage on networks has led to the creation of an online petition requesting the application of the minimum penalty provided for animal abuse, which can include imprisonment of 3 to 18 months or a fine of between 5,000 and 30,000 euros.

Cosetta Prontu, president of the animal shelter in Olbia, Sardinia, said these young people are a reflection of a retrograde culture that despises animal life and seeks gratification in acts of cruelty, possibly to gain notoriety on social media.