After locals reported a Nigerian man for killing a cat and trying to cook it in the middle of the day, police intervened in the town of Sarzana. A photo of the man has been published by Italian news media, with the blurred remains of the cat still visible in front of a children’s playground.

Responding to the incident, Councilor for Security in the province of La Spezia, Stefano Torri, called the act “atrocious that cannot and has no place in a civilized society.”

The man was stopped by Italian police after multiple calls from witnesses in the Crociata neighborhood, in a park dedicated to the Italian partisan commander Flavio “Walter” Bertone, according to Italian news outletIl Messaggero. It remains unclear if the man was arrested.

Torri stated on social media: “We are working hard to return Crociata Park to its citizens, finalizing the tender process for a management that will finally bring positive community, order, light, and legality to this area.”

The right-wing League Party also commented on social media. Italian MP Michela Vittoria Brambilla stated on Instagram: “The terrible incident in Sarzana, where a man killed a cat in a public park with the intention of cooking it, is unworthy of a civilized country. Italy is not a no-man’s land: barbarism cannot and must not have any place here. Anyone who tramples on the life of an animal tramples on the values ​​of our community.”

She further noted that “Italy has put an end to the horrors against animals: it did so by passing the Brambilla law, which recognizes animals as sentient beings and increases penalties for those who commit crimes against them. Those who think they can violate our country’s rules should know that the time for impunity is over.”

In Nigeria, cat meat is popular, however, it is less common than the consumption of dog meat, which is considered a speciality in the country and nicknamed “404.”. In 2020, Change.org featured a petition to end Nigeria’s “horrific” dog and cat meat trade.

However, cat meat is even more popular in neighboring countries of Ghana and Liberia.

This incident of animal abuse in Sarzana comes shortly after the rape of a local cat Rosi in Rome which sparked national headlines. The cat was left with traumatic injuries that nearly killed it. Despite the hope expressed in the video below, her condition has since deteriorated and she is being fed through a tube while remaining in intensive care. The unknown perpetrator has been labeled “the demon Tor Tre Teste” and is actively being sought by police, with many locals fearing that the suspect may be responsible for a number of other cats that have disappeared in the area.

🇮🇹🔴Police are hunting for a suspect in Rome who r@ped the cat Rosi, who remains in critical condition.

Rosi's veterinarian has given an update on her status, which is improving but she is on her eighth day of hospitalization at the CVS veterinary clinic. Her situation remains… pic.twitter.com/INR2hgpeXH

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) April 1, 2026

In addition, last year, an African migrant from Mali was charged for slaughtering a beloved local dog Merlin in front of a pharmacy and then carrying the dog’s body home in Naro, allegedly to eat, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa. The week before, police say he also tortured another dog by pouring boiling oil over the animal; however, the courts released the man, only for him to almost immediately reoffend.

African migrant with deportation order slaughtered a dog named Merlin and took it home to eat in Italy, also tortured another dog with boiling oil

Animal rights activists also commented on that case, including Enrico Rizzi, who noted that this migrant had already been arrested for pouring boiling oil on a dog just the week before.

“Seven days ago, this non-EU man had already burned a poor stray dog with boiling oil and even attacked the Italian police who intervened,” said Rizzi, an animal rights activist. “The man had been arrested and immediately released by the judiciary. Back on the street, he took another stray and slaughtered it. He must be sent home.”

The Hope shelter in Agrigento shared a photo of Merlin as well, writing on Facebook: “He had been living free and looked after with love from the neighborhood for years. As citizens and as animal lovers, we will not remain silent: We will formalize a regular complaint to the competent authorities, asking for justice for Merlin and safety for all.”

Yesterday, Remix News reported on the case of an Afghan migrant in France who was arrested for raping multiple sheep and goats.