On the affair concerning the capture and custody of bears M49 and M57 in the Casteller wildlife area, the Judge for Preliminary Investigations of the Court of Trento ordered the criminal proceedings against the President of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Maurizio Fugatti, the managers in charge of large carnivores and the provincial veterinarian to be archived. The two problematic specimens had been taken by the Trentino Forestry Corps in 2020: the legitimacy of the measures," wrote the judge, "is supported by the dangerousness of both animals, including M57, captured a few hours after the attack on a young policeman in Andalo, before Ispra's clearance, as it was necessary to guarantee people's safety as soon as possible. According to the magistrate, who accepted the prosecutor's request, there was, moreover, no subtraction to the State's indisputable patrimony. Not only that. In the document, the judge ruled out animal mistreatment and the intention to carry out mistreatment on the part of the provincial administration, since the captures - provided for by the Pacobace - combined the need to ensure the safety of people and the protection of animals. "There is satisfaction," emphasises President Fugatti, "because the correctness of the provincial administration's action in managing a complex situation, in which many professionals are involved with the aim of responding to the understandable concerns of the local community, has been recognised.
Publication date: 25/07/2023
