28/03/2026
For killing an animal with cruelty, torture, or by deliberately prolonging suffering: Prison sentence of 6 months to 4 years, plus a fine of up to €60,000 (roughly $65,000 USD, depending on exchange rates).
This roughly doubled the previous maximum penalties (which were up to 3 years and €30,000 in many cases).
Mistreatment/abuse (without necessarily causing death): Up to 2 years in prison, with no option to substitute a fine in some cases.
Aggravating factors (e.g., done in front of minors, against multiple animals, or if videos/images are shared online) can increase the penalty further (by up to one-third).
Other related measures: Bans on permanently chaining dogs outdoors, stricter rules against animal fighting (2–4 years for organizing), puppy trafficking, and abandoning animals.
The law also symbolically advances the idea that animals are sentient beings (legal "subjects" rather than mere property), though the core changes are in the criminal penalties.b43eef
The meme dramatizes the maximum penalties for the most severe cases (especially torture or cruel killing). Not every act of neglect or minor harm automatically triggers 4 years in prison—courts consider specifics—but the law marks a clear shift toward treating deliberate, serious animal cruelty as a real crime with meaningful consequences.
This has been widely shared on social media as a positive example of strong animal protection, often with Brambilla's image since she has long championed these issues.
Bottom line: The claim in the image is factually grounded in Italy's 2025 legal reforms. It's not exaggerated in terms of the upper limits, though real-world enforcement and sentencing will vary by case, as with any law. Many animal welfare groups have welcomed it as a significant step forward.