28/09/2026

Four horses without microchips, and therefore unidentifiable, were being kept in a stable that lacked the permits required by law. The State Police found them at San Francesco La Rena, on the outskirts of Catania. The inspection was carried out by the Mounted Squad of the General Prevention and Public Rescue Office, together with a veterinarian from the Prevention Department of the Catania Local Health Authority (ASP).

The animals were found to be in good condition. However, checks showed that they had not undergone the required veterinary inspections. The stable manager was issued administrative fines totalling more than €13,000. The four horses have been placed under health restrictions, which will remain in force until all legal obligations on identification and health compliance have been met.

The operation is part of the checks ordered by the Catania Police Headquarters (Questura) to combat animal cruelty and to verify the conditions in which animals are kept, both in the city and across the province. These checks focus particularly on equines and aim to prevent illegal slaughter and illegal horse racing.

Beyond this specific case, a horse without a microchip is a horse without traceability. Its origin is unknown, its movements cannot be tracked, and it can disappear without a trace. Illegal slaughter and illegal racing depend on exactly this invisibility, and IHP has been documenting both in Catania for more than ten years.

We commend the Catania Police Headquarters and the Mounted Squad for their continued checks across the area.

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