La prigione per gli italiani che abbandonano gli animali domestici*

Is that why Italian greyhounds look anorexic?

Italians Face Jail Terms for Abandoning Pets*

ROME (Reuters) (Reuters) - Italy is finally cracking down on the many fickle pet owners who dump their cat or dog on the roadside as they head to the beach for their summer vacation.

The Senate gave final approval Thursday to an animal cruelty bill which would impose prison terms of up to one year and fines of up to 10,000 euros ($12,350) for those convicted of abandoning their pets .

Some 150,000 dogs and 200,000 cats are abandoned in Italy every year -- many of them at the start of summer holidays -- according to animal rights groups. About 85 percent of them are killed by cars, hunger or thirst.

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