In a tragic turn of events, a heroic sniffer dog named Bruno has succumbed to the gruesome act of being poisoned by sausages embedded with nails. This heinous act, which has left Italy’s Prime Minister labeling it as “vile and cowardly,” marks the end of an exceptional K9’s service, known to his trainer, Arcangelo Caressa. The bloodhound who had dedicated his life to assisting in tracking missing individuals, including children and people with Alzheimer’s, met a painful demise after ingesting the lethal food deliberately placed in his kennel in Taranto.
Arcangelo Caressa, a prominent figure in training anti-drug and search dogs, expressed profound grief and anger over Bruno’s death. He pointed out that this act was not only a loss for him personally but underscored a broader threat, hinting at received death threats as a potential motive, urging, “I know who you are, and you will pay for it.” Through a heartfelt Facebook post, Caressa remembered Bruno as “my hero,” acknowledging his unwavering dedication to aiding humanity, tainted by the same individuals he sought to help.
Bruno’s service record reflects his critical contributions, having been instrumental in locating nine missing persons. The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, paid a poignant tribute, labeling the event as abhorrent and thanking Bruno for his invaluable service.
Bruno’s tragic death has ignited anger across the nation, with many advocating for the prosecution of the perpetrator under Italy’s new animal protection law, which can penalize such acts with up to four years in prison and a significant fine.
Bruno, originally from Belgium, had served faithfully alongside Caressa for seven years. His exceptional sense of smell, surpassing human capabilities by at least 1,000 times, facilitated the successful conclusion of numerous search missions.
