Crimes against animals, Brambilla law in force from today

The "Brambilla Law" on crimes against animals comes into force today, the first organic reform of Title IX bis of the Criminal Code, awaited for over twenty years. Animals become the legal subject directly protected by the law, as sentient beings, bearers of rights, and "man's feeling for animals" is no longer protected. And all animals are sentient beings protected by the law: pets, livestock, wild, exotic, all regardless of whether they have an owner or not. The "Brambilla Law" ends the season of impunity for those who commit crimes against animals: the law increases all penalties (in particular for killing and mistreatment), also introduces a system of heavy fines always combined with a prison sentence, provides for generic aggravating circumstances, introduces a nationwide ban on keeping dogs on a chain, and many other provisions.