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Outrage in Italy as heroic police dog Bruno killed in ‘vile, cowardly’ attack

Hero dog Bruno’s brutal killing sparks probe and new animal law. Trainer suspects foul play due to dog fighting activism

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An Italian sniffer dog was killed after eating sausages filled with nails that were thrown into his kennel, his trainer has said. Photo: Handout
Associated Press

The horrific killing of a police bloodhound, who helped find nine people throughout his sniffer dog career, has outraged Italians and sparked a criminal investigation to find his killers.

Bruno, a seven-year-old bloodhound, was found dead on Friday morning in his shed in southern Taranto. His trainer, Arcangelo Caressa, said that he had been fed bits of dog food laced with nails. In a social media post on Tuesday, Caressa urged police to “find the killers before I do”.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was photographed with Bruno after one of his heroic rescues, said that his slaughter was “vile, cowardly, unacceptable”.
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Lawmaker Michael Vittoria Brambilla, a long-time animal rights activist, filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors under a new law that she helped push through stiffening penalties for anyone who kills or mistreats an animal.
Bruno, a seven-year-old bloodhound, had been hailed as a hero for finding nine missing people during his career, and was once honoured by Italy’s prime minister. Photo: Handout
Bruno, a seven-year-old bloodhound, had been hailed as a hero for finding nine missing people during his career, and was once honoured by Italy’s prime minister. Photo: Handout
The editor of the Il Giornale daily, Vittorio Feltri, voiced outrage, saying Bruno had done more civic good in Italy than most citizens.
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