Twelve animal rights and animal protection associations, both national and local, have sent a formal request to the municipalities of Apulia asking them to comply with the regional legislation that prohibits the sale, display, transfer, keeping and use as prizes of pet animals at fairs, food festivals, patron saint festivals, lotteries and similar events.
The relevant legislation is Apulia Regional Law of 19 June 2020, no. 2 (“Rules for the welfare and protection of pet animals and the prevention of stray animal populations”). Art. 23, paragraph 4 prohibits “the direct or indirect sale of animals in itinerant or occasional activities, including at fixed stalls”, while Art. 24, paragraph 4 prohibits “the use of animals as prizes or gifts in games, festivals and food festivals, lotteries, raffles or other activities”.
Further reinforcing the framework is an official note from the Apulia Region itself, dated 28 March 2022, which unambiguously clarified that pet animals “may neither be kept nor, let alone, sold” at fairs and similar events. The ban, the associations emphasise, does not only apply to dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters, but also to canaries, goldfish and other small animals kept “for companionship or affection”, in accordance with the definition of pet animal provided by the law itself.
«The rule has been clear for years and the Region’s interpretation leaves no room for doubt: animals are neither market goods nor lottery prizes. Yet in too many events the practice continues», the associations state. «We are asking municipalities for a simple and civil gesture: enforce the law that already exists, in protection of animals and citizens.»
There are also virtuous examples, such as that of the regional capital: Bari has included in its own animal protection by-laws a provision mirroring the regional law, so much so that stalls selling live animals have been absent from the city’s markets for several years.
Why the ban exists
Despite the regulatory framework being clear even at the regional level, the associations continue to receive reports of these practices recurring in various municipalities. Such conduct, in addition to violating regional provisions, exposes animals to noise, crowds, extreme temperatures, handling by strangers, transport and prolonged confinement, under conditions unsuitable for their welfare.
The itinerant sale of live animals also raises public health concerns — from the spread of zoonoses to health and hygiene risks arising from proximity to food — and encourages impulse purchases that too often result in inadequate care or abandonment.
What they are asking of municipalities
The coordination of the associations and the formal submission of the request to municipalities, delivered via certified email (PEC), was handled by Animal Law Italia (ALI). The signatory associations are asking municipalities to:
- circulate a communication recalling the ban to municipal offices, event organisers and festival committees;
- include an explicit clause on the ban in tenders, notices, authorisations and public land concessions;
- provide for targeted inspections by the Local Police, in collaboration with the ASL Veterinary Service and the Forestry Carabinieri;
- consider adopting a general mayoral ordinance that summarises the ban and the related oversight procedures;
- regard the associations as partners for informational materials and awareness-raising activities, including in schools.
The signatory associations invite citizens to continue reporting local events that violate the regional ban, and declare themselves available to municipalities and citizens for any clarification and for awareness activities across the region.
«Today’s step is a first move, not a final destination. In the coming months we will closely monitor the schedules of fairs, food festivals and patron saint festivals across the entire regional territory and will systematically collect reports from citizens, verifying compliance with the ban on a case-by-case basis. We will publicly acknowledge the municipalities that comply and will continue to press those where violations recur, considering every useful initiative to ensure the law is upheld. Our willingness to engage in dialogue with local administrations remains absolute: our goal is not to penalise, but to ensure that a clear rule is finally applied everywhere.»
Alessandro Ricciuti, President of Animal Law Italia (ALI)
The signatory associations
Animal Law Italia ETS, Associazione Animal, Earth ODV, La Fattoria di Nonno Peppino APS, LAV Bari, LAV Taranto, LEAL ETS, LNDC Animal Protection APS, Nati per Amarti ODV, OIPA Italia ODV, Rete dei Santuari di Animali Liberi, Zoout.