Animal cruelty in university animal facilities in Calabria

A criminal case that opens a real chance to change how publicly funded animal research works in Italy.

Ongoing Dibattimento In corso

Animal Law Italia is a civil party and has obtained the summons, as parties civilly liable, of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Universities and Research, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro and the Catanzaro local health authority (ASP). The defendants who chose the summary trial have received the first convictions. The trial of the 10 defendants committed for trial has been under way since 12 May 2026.

Last update: 19 November 2026 — Trial hearing adjourned to 16 March 2027

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imputati

udienze

Sostienici

Un caso fondamentale

La Procura di Catanzaro ha chiesto il rinvio a giudizio di 27 tra docenti, ricercatori, dirigenti veterinari e personale tecnico dell’Università Magna Graecia.

Viene contestata l’associazione a delinquere e maltrattamento di animali negli stabulari.

Il sistema della ricerca pubblica italiana è chiamato a rispondere penalmente delle modalità con cui “produce” scienza attraverso l’uso di animali, mettendo in discussione l’intero apparato di controlli che, sulla carta, dovrebbe garantire il benessere animale e l’integrità dei dati scientifici.

Vogliamo far emergere la verità, ottenere giustizia per gli animali e chiamare alle proprie responsabilità le istituzioni coinvolte, con l’obiettivo di raggiungere un precedente nazionale sul benessere animale nei laboratori pubblici.

Questo processo rappresenta un passaggio storico. Sostenere la ricerca della verità significa scegliere un Paese in cui la scienza non è un’area franca, e gli animali non sono invisibili.

Who is handling the case

Francesca Romana Dresda

Member of the Legal Team

Criminal defence lawyer

Alessandro Ricciuti

President, Head of Institutional Relations

Lawyer, activist

ALI è in prima linea dal primo momento. Siamo già molto fieri di aver ottenuto la citazione dei responsabili civili, un risultato tutt'altro che scontato.

Avv. Francesca Romana Dresda Legale responsabile del caso

Entra con noi in Tribunale!

Sostieni il lavoro dei nostri legali per ottenere giustizia per gli animali.

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Updates

19 November 2026

Trial hearing adjourned to 16 March 2027

9 June 2026

Written reasons for the judgment filed

According to the GUP, the conduct established “cannot in any way find ‘cover’ or ‘justification’ in the mere lofty aim of discovering new treatments for humans and ‘saving human lives’”. Scientific research, however worthy, must be carried out in strict compliance with the rules that protect animals.

25 May 2026

First convictions in the summary trial!

The preliminary hearing judge of the Court of Catanzaro, Dr Gilda Danila Romano, today delivered judgment on the defendants who had chosen the summary trial. The outcome: three convictions, one plea bargain and seven acquittals.

Read the article →

12 May 2026

The trial opens

The ordinary trial of the 10 defendants committed for trial opens before the Court of Catanzaro. They include the former Rector, the President of the OPBA and the ASP veterinarians responsible for inspections.

10 April 2026

Summary trial: closing arguments

Closing arguments from all the civil parties and three defendants. Avv. Dresda argued our case, asking for all the defendants to be convicted and given the sentence the court considers just, and for full compensation of all damages. Adjourned to 25 May for the decision.

16 March 2026

Summary trial: closing arguments

In closing arguments, the Public Prosecutor asked for the conviction of the seven defendants who chose the summary trial. The proposed sentences, which already include the one-third reduction granted for choosing this procedure, are as follows:

Highest request: 5 years and 4 months’ imprisonment for the main defendant.
Other significant requests: 2 years and 6 months, and 1 year and 4 months.
For the other four defendants, the sentences requested range from 9 to 12 months, with mitigating circumstances recognised (equivalent or prevailing).

Along with its closing speech, the Prosecutor’s Office filed a 450-page brief, which our lawyers will analyse.

2 March 2026

The GUP committed 10 people for trial

They include the university’s Rector at the time of the events, named as the head of the criminal association, the President of the Animal Welfare Body (O.P.B.A.) and a well-known cardiologist and scientific lead. Alongside them are lecturers, researchers and veterinarians of the Catanzaro ASP responsible for inspections.

Read the article →

6 February 2026

Hearing

Some defendants’ lawyers tried to narrow their liability with unconvincing arguments. Avv. Dresda will draft a written submission to the judge and another to the Public Prosecutor, asking for a precise reply, at the hearing of 2 March, on some points raised in the discussion.

28 January 2026

The parties civilly liable enter the proceedings

The parties civilly liable applied to be excluded from the proceedings, and the judge rejected the application. Thanks to our work, the Ministry of Education and Merit, the Ministry of Health, the Catanzaro ASP and Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro will remain in the proceedings.

19 December 2025

Summons of the parties civilly liable ordered

Animal Law Italia is admitted as a civil party. The preliminary investigations judge (GIP) granted our request to summon the parties civilly liable: the Ministry of Education and Merit, the Ministry of Health, the Catanzaro local health authority (ASP) and Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro.

Read the article →

28 November 2025

The preliminary hearing begins

Our lawyers were in court to join the proceedings as a civil party. The judge adjourned to 19 December to decide on the admission of the civil parties.

Read the article (in Italian) →

25 May 2026

Magna Graecia University animal facilities: first convictions. The prosecution’s case holds.

First three convictions and a plea bargain for those who opted for alternative procedures. Ten more defendants stand trial.

2 March 2026

Magna Graecia University: Rector and nine other defendants committed for trial over animal facility irregularities

Animal Law Italia is a civil party in the trial and has obtained the summoning of the civilly liable parties.

Photo by Janet Stephens (photographer) on Wikimedia Commons, Public domain