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Catania Fines Man Who Trained Dog to Dump Trash, Caught on City Cameras

Officials say the case underscores the growing use of CCTV to police illegal dumping in southern Italy.

Overview

  • The Municipal Police in Catania identified and fined a resident after surveillance showed his small dog depositing household garbage on the street.
  • Continuous CCTV recorded the behavior on two consecutive nights on Via Pulacara in the San Giorgio neighborhood, and the city posted the clips on Facebook.
  • Authorities condemned the conduct as a “double wrong,” citing both pollution of public space and exploitation of a pet to evade rules.
  • Local governments are expanding video monitoring to curb waste offenses, with Palermo reporting about 93% of fines supported by camera evidence.
  • Italy has reported more than 9,300 waste-management infractions in 2023, a 66% rise year over year, with penalties ranging from €1,500 to €18,000 and possible criminal charges.