Police were called to a public park after several distressed callers reported a man trying to cook what appeared to be a dead animal.
The incident happened on April 15 at Crociata Park in Sarzana, a town in northeastern Italy. According to witnesses, the man, identified as a Nigerian migrant, had set up a small, improvised grill near a children’s play area. Photos taken at the scene show him crouched over the fire, using a stick to tend it, with playground equipment just a few feet away.
Locals who saw what was happening alerted authorities. By the time officers arrived, the fire had gone out and the man was no longer actively handling the animal. Police detained him on suspicion of animal cruelty, though reports indicate the arrest was temporary and no formal charges were ultimately filed.
It remains unclear whether the man killed the animal himself or found it already dead. Investigators said they were unable to determine what had happened prior to the incident.
The situation has drawn strong reactions from animal welfare groups and public officials. Piera Rosati, president of LNDC Animal Protection, acknowledged that people experiencing homelessness can face extreme hardship, including lack of access to food. Still, she said that does not excuse harming an animal or doing so in a public space.
In fact , Trump never lied when he said they were eating cats in Springfield.
These third-world beings don’t see cats as pets, they rape them and eat them.
That is the reality.https://t.co/q9Ii6QY6fR
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarino) April 19, 2026
She pointed out that there are services available in the area that provide meals to those in need, and stressed that acts of cruelty should be taken seriously regardless of the circumstances.
Several Italian politicians also weighed in. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described the incident as deeply troubling and said it should not be ignored. Security Councillor Stefano Torri called it unacceptable and used the moment to highlight broader concerns about the condition of the park itself, describing it as neglected and in need of investment and oversight.
Torri suggested that improving the area could help prevent similar situations in the future by bringing more regular activity and a stronger sense of community presence.
‘They’re Eating the Pets!’ Trump Shouts About Fake Pet-Eating Story at Debate and Gets Brutally Fact-Checked https://t.co/KnrQl4AJLq
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) September 11, 2024
Another lawmaker, Michela Vittoria Brambilla, criticized the act as a violation of shared values, emphasizing the importance of respecting animal life.
