It is with deep dismay that we learn of the serious irregularities that have come to light at the Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro.
What has emerged is not merely a news story. We are talking about a case that highlights a structural problem: when oversight becomes a formality, when transparency weakens, and when a culture of animal protection is perceived as an obstacle rather than an obligation, it creates the space for such behaviour to thrive in the shadows. It is precisely this short circuit — between institutional responsibility, research ethics, and respect for the law — that makes the Magna Graecia University affair so serious and symbolic. It is not only about what allegedly happened inside those laboratories, but about what risks happening everywhere if decisive action is not taken.
According to media reports, investigations by the Guardia di Finanza allegedly uncovered an illegal breeding operation for laboratory animals, mistreatment and unjustified killing of animals, as well as falsified research in order to avoid losing public funding.
If these allegations are confirmed, we would be facing an unacceptable violation of the law and of the fundamental ethical principles of scientific research. This news also undermines public trust in the University and in science, as well as in the official oversight system. In 2025, we cannot tolerate horrors of this kind going unpunished.
Animal Law Italia will closely follow the developments of this case and is committed to shedding full light on what occurred, including by evaluating the possibility of joining the judicial proceedings as a civil party.
Attorney Alessandro Ricciuti, president of Animal Law Italia, states:
«It is essential that episodes of this kind are prosecuted with the utmost rigour. We call on the Ministry to swiftly adopt effective measures to ensure compliance with current regulations for the protection of animals in all public and private facilities where animal experimentation is still conducted, such as unannounced inspections carried out directly by ministerial staff. We must prevent the veil of silence and local complicity that allowed this system to exist from being able to re-emerge elsewhere.»