Carabinieri Forestali: checks on animal welfare in live animal shops in the provinces of Udine and Vicenza

I Forestry Carabinieri, with the assistance of veterinary medical personnel of theUniversity Health Authority of Central Friuli and University of Udine, in the last few days, have performed personal and local searches delegated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Udine against 4 people residing in the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto, legal representatives of 3 commercial establishments selling live animals in the province of Udine e Vicenza, placing under Two captive-bred parrots seized called 'pink-necked lovebirds' (scientific name Agapornis roseicollis), psittacine native to the regions of south-western Africa, one of the most bred and common species among domestic animals. The animals presented part of the cut flight feathers.

The investigation activity, carried out by the Forestry Carabinieri of the CITES Unit of Trieste and directed by Dr. Laura Collini Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Court of Udine, carried out with the collaboration of CITES Unit of Vicenza, originates as a result of reports of citizens who have purchased small parrots 'hand-raised' and later discovered to have clipped wing feathers.

In everyday language, the expression 'clip the wings' is synonymous with 'prevent someone from showing or developing their abilities', as reported by the Treccani encyclopedia. The comparison is linked to what actually happens to any bird deprived of part of its wing feathers.

Plumage, unlike the fur that covers mammals, is a functional part of the bird and provides aerodynamic support necessary for flight. For these reasons the clipping of the wings constitutes, for all intents and purposes, a lesion compromising the birds' freedom of movement.

Animal protection is a matter of each of our consciences. The first step is to report any situations of mistreatment to the police, protecting those who, as in the case of animals, cannot protect themselves.

All the subjects are currently under investigation for animal cruelty..