Roman Students Trained to Combat Dog Fighting

Rome – Fourteen students from the Istituto Comprensivo Paritario “Zaveria Cassia” in Rome recently participated in a training session on dog fighting, organized by Humane World for Animals Italia and Fondazione Cave Canem as part of the ‘Io non combatto’ project.

Preventing Dog Fighting Through Education

The project aims to prevent and combat the criminal activity of dog fighting through citizen awareness and educating young generations on the importance of animal respect and welfare, promoting awareness and commitment. Students and teachers received a brochure for the ‘Io non combatto’ project, which explains dog fighting in an age-appropriate manner and asks young people about their relationship with Animals and their contribution to spreading a culture of compassion.

Project Details and Goals

The brochure, which includes discussion-stimulating questions, is available for free download from the ‘Io non combatto’ website, along with a citizen’s guide to recognizing and reporting dog fighting. Martina Pluda, Director of Humane World for Animals Italia, stated that educating the next generation is crucial in combating dog fighting and animal cruelty. Federica Faiella, President of Fondazione Cave Canem, emphasized the project’s promotion of empathy and responsibility to prevent juvenile delinquency and build a more animal-respectful society.

Student Initiative and Success Stories

The students, divided into groups, created a poster to raise awareness among their peers about dog fighting, featuring stories of Shrek and Michi, two dogs rescued through the ‘Io non combatto’ project and now ready for adoption. Tiziana Portone, Vice-President of the Istituto “Zaveria Cassia,” highlighted the importance of raising awareness about these issues, encompassing respect for Animals, people, and classmates. Roberta Costagliola, a child development psychologist, commented on the project’s goal of promoting sensitivity and empathy in young people.