ROME (May 19, 2025)—The second and final part of the analysis of dogfighting conducted by Carolina Salomoni and Angela Maria Panzini has recently been published by the journal “Sicurezza e Giustizia”. The authors are recipients of one of the four research scholarships awarded by Fondazione Cave Canem and Humane World for Animals—formerly known as Humane Society International—as part of the “Io non combatto” project.
The work was carried out with the assistance and under the coordination of Federica Faiella, president of Fondazione Cave Canem; Martina Pluda and Alessandro Fazzi, respectively director of Humane World for Animals Italy and institutional relations consultant of the organization.
While the first part of the analysis, published in January, focused on the origins and geographic distribution of dogfighting, this second part examines its impact on society and individuals—particularly younger people. It explores the psychological profiles of dogfighters, their distorted perceptions of masculinity, their involvement in other criminal activities, and the rehabilitation pathways that can be initiated.
The issues addressed are especially relevant to the readership of “Sicurezza e Giustizia”. The journal, founded 15 years ago by Engineer Giovanni Nazzaro, primarily targets institutions, law enforcement agencies, and prosecutor’s offices, which play a crucial role in preventing and prosecuting crimes against animals.
“The goal of ‘Sicurezza e Giustizia’ is to offer a new kind of publishing, addressing topics in a concise yet scientifically accurate manner, with the aim of educating readers and promoting informed reading. Currently, the journal focuses on new technologies and artificial intelligence, but also on the environment as a whole, following the ‘One Health’ approach. That is why I wanted to shed light on an issue that is often underestimated—both in terms of animal protection and its socio-criminal implications—in order to foster greater understanding and prevention of the phenomenon. Today, animal-related mafias (zoomafie) are a widespread reality across Italy, making it increasingly necessary for law enforcement to adopt targeted and precise countermeasures, supported by an in-depth understanding of the psychological and behavioral profile of those responsible for abuse,” says Colonel Michele Lippiello, editorial director of the journal.
“The psychological and behavioral profile of the dogfighter: a comparative analysis from streetfighter to professional and the rehabilitative approach as a strategy for protecting society” — this is the title of the article, which highlights the characteristics of the various types of dogfighters, from streetfighters and hobbyists to professionals.
At the current state of research, the presence of streetfighters and hobbyists has not been recorded in Italy, where the dogfighting scene appears to be monopolized by professionals. These individuals, often linked to organized crime, have significant financial resources, work with specialized trainers, and communicate through social media and the dark web—tools that have also led to an increase in the number of bettors.
As the authors of the article point out, most of these individuals do not associate dogfighting with animal cruelty. They believe the dogs involved have been specifically bred and trained for that purpose and are therefore simply following a “natural” instinct. Furthermore, victorious dogs are seen as instruments to gain credibility and are regarded as true symbols of masculinity.
Cases of animal abuse often have their roots in conditions of hardship, frequently tied to the family and sociocultural environment in which the offender was raised and currently lives. This is one of the first aspects to consider when seeking answers to the following questions: How can we ensure that individuals convicted of animal-related crimes—and specifically of involvement in dogfighting—do not commit further acts of cruelty toward animals once released? How can we prevent such violence from eventually affecting other human beings as well? Is it possible to initiate rehabilitative pathways that foster empathy and respect—instead of violence—between the offender and the victim?
“Since it has not been possible, at least for now, to initiate an experimental study on how to reintegrate the dogfighter into society, we deemed it appropriate to propose some hypotheses for rehabilitation based on the awareness that an exclusively punitive approach, although necessary, is not sufficient to protect society in the long term,” say Carolina Salomoni and Angela Maria Panzini, authors of the article. “Instead, the possibility of organizing rehabilitation programs within controlled environments, such as correctional facilities, would allow individuals responsible for the abuse of non-human animals to interact with them in a constructive and safe manner, with the aim of building relationships based on empathy and respect. These are undoubtedly complex projects, both to conceive and to implement, but we firmly believe that close collaboration among all parties involved, in various capacities, can be crucial in the rehabilitation of these individuals—without ever compromising the absolute respect for and protection of the psychological and physical well-being of the animals involved.”
The findings of the study will be presented on June 26 at the Italian Senate in Rome. The aim of the research activities promoted under the “Io non combatto” project is precisely to foster a deeper understanding of the practice of animal fighting and to identify concrete solutions to curb its spread within society, encouraging more compassionate behavior and more ethical public policies.
“Dogfighting is a cruel violation of animal rights and a cross-cutting criminal phenomenon, often linked to organized crime and the distortion of social values,” state Alessandro Fazzi, institutional relations consultant at Humane World for Animals Italy, and Federica Faiella, president of Fondazione Cave Canem, co-authors of the article.
“We launched this study because we firmly believe that the phenomenon of dogfighting must be addressed not only with repressive measures, but also through a profound cultural change. The data that emerged confirms how urgent it is to act on multiple levels: legal, educational, and social. It is essential to recognize the link between violence against animals and human distress, and to develop reeducation programs that can truly impact the lives of those responsible, preventing new forms of violence. The reeducation of dogfighters is a measure that benefits animals and serves as a concrete tool to protect society as a whole. Offering rehabilitation paths means preventing the risk that violence learned and inflicted on animals will evolve into violence against humans and other animals. For this reason, investing in reeducation initiatives represents a strategic choice in terms of safety, justice, and prevention. Only by promoting an integrated approach can we hope for a society in which no living being is used, exploited, or mistreated ever again,” they conclude.
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