Two newborn kittens sealed inside a plastic bag and thrown into a rubbish bin. That is what happened yesterday evening, August 9, near the car park of the State Hospital of San Marino. The kittens were found still alive and rescued thanks to the intervention of some passers-by. APAS, the local animal protection association, has spoken out on the case, announcing it will file a complaint for animal abandonment and expressing hope that CCTV cameras in the area may help identify those responsible.
The kittens were discovered after some passers-by heard faint mewing coming from the bin. “This time, it was some citizens who made the difference: they heard extremely weak meows and, realizing something was wrong, acted promptly by calling the Joint Operations Centre, following the correct procedure for such cases,” APAS said in its statement.
The Centre then alerted the State Veterinary Service as well. The two kittens were recovered, but their condition still requires close attention.
“The two kittens are now safe, but they are extremely small and at a very delicate stage of their lives,” the association explains. “They will need to be hand-reared by a human caregiver, and a difficult struggle now lies ahead: they were found dehydrated, wet and overheated. We hope with all our hearts that they manage to survive these first, extremely fragile days.”
APAS has already announced it will file a complaint for animal abandonment under Article 323 ter of the San Marino Criminal Code. According to the association, this type of conduct can carry “a first-degree prison sentence ranging from three months to one year, along with a fine of no less than 4,000 euros.”
In its statement, the association also raises the issue of the mother cat who gave birth to the two kittens, whose fate remains unknown. “Two newborn creatures, defenseless, unable even to feed themselves, sealed in a bag and thrown out with the rubbish. And while they fight for their lives, what happened to their mother? A cat who may still be desperately searching for her babies, at risk of health problems such as mastitis or milk stasis.”
APAS is once again urging the sterilization of animals and calling on people to turn to the appropriate services when facing difficulties. “So we ask once again, and firmly: why not sterilize? Why not ask for help? Why not turn to associations, veterinarians, or the competent services, before a situation turns into a tragedy? An animal is not an object to be discarded when an unwanted litter arrives. A litter is not a problem to be hidden in a bag and thrown away.”
Attention is now also turning to the surveillance cameras in the hospital area, which could provide useful evidence to reconstruct what happened.
“We also hope that, through the cameras present in the area, it will be possible to reconstruct what happened and identify those responsible for this extremely serious act, so that they can be held accountable for a crime that cannot and must not be dismissed as a mere act of incivility,” the association stresses.
“Whoever did this condemned two defenseless creatures to a terrible death,” APAS concludes. “We hope the footage can help put a face to whoever committed this serious crime, and that justice can take its course.”
