Outrage in Italy as arsonists use cats to spread wildfires in Calabria

Animal rights group offers €1,000 reward as officials uncover shocking arson methods behind the region's blazes. Animal welfare campaigners in Calabria have put up a €1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of arsonists accused of using cats to spread wildfires across the southern Italian region. Calabria's civil protection department revealed that among the devices used to start several forest fires, investigators had found cats with rags soaked in flammable liquid tied to their tails. The rags were then set alight and the animals released into tall grass, causing the flames to spread across multiple points as the terrified cats ran through the vegetation. The animals are reported to have died in the process. Civil protection officials also said they had uncovered numerous delayed-action ignition devices used to start other blazes in the region. In response, the Associazione Italiana Difesa Animali ed Ambiente (AIDAA) said it would file criminal complaints with prosecutors' offices across Calabria in the coming days. The association also announced the reward, stating it would be paid to anyone whose formal report to the police helped identify and secure the definitive conviction of the arsonist or arsonists responsible for using cats or other animals to start or fuel the fires. Separately, the animal rights group LNDC Animal Protection said it had also filed a complaint against persons unknown, in the hope that those responsible are identified and prosecuted with the utmost rigour. The revelations have caused alarm across Calabria, where wildfires have repeatedly broken out this summer, and have intensified calls for a thorough investigation into the origins of the blazes. Authorities say enquiries are ongoing.

Wanted in Rome Wanted in Rome · Wire Report · 2 hours ago · 2 min read

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WIRE — Animal rights group offers €1,000 reward as officials uncover shocking arson methods behind the region's blazes. Animal welfare campaigners in Calabria have put up a €1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of arsonists accused of using cats to spread wildfires across the southern Italian region. Calabria's civil protection department revealed that among the devices used to start several forest fires, investigators had found cats with rags soaked in flammable liquid tied to their tails. The rags were then set alight and the animals released into tall grass, causing the flames to spread across multiple points as the terrified cats ran through the vegetation. The animals are reported to have died in the process. Civil protection officials also said they had uncovered numerous delayed-action ignition devices used to start other blazes in the region. In response, the Associazione Italiana Difesa Animali ed Ambiente (AIDAA) said it would file criminal complaints with prosecutors' offices across Calabria in the coming days. The association also announced the reward, stating it would be paid to anyone whose formal report to the police helped identify and secure the definitive conviction of the arsonist or arsonists responsible for using cats or other animals to start or fuel the fires. Separately, the animal rights group LNDC Animal Protection said it had also filed a complaint against persons unknown, in the hope that those responsible are identified and prosecuted with the utmost rigour. The revelations have caused alarm across Calabria, where wildfires have repeatedly broken out this summer, and have intensified calls for a thorough investigation into the origins of the blazes. Authorities say enquiries are ongoing.

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