Compliance and non-compliance in the transport of animals in the Calabria Region

Despite the strict rules of the current legislation, road transport origins countless stress factors to animals. The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the current welfare conditions during animal transport in Calabria and all related operations in the three years 2013-2015.The results showed that during this period 2015 the checks carried out by regional police are increased whereas sanctions imposed are decreased. The most frequent irregularities registered regard documentations (74.8%), animal welfare irregularities shows low incidence (6.5%), and percentage of irregularities regarding inadequate of the vehicle is halved in 2014 and 2015 respect to 2013. Data reported demonstrate the need for the competent Authorities to continue in their inspection actions in order to contrast the irregularities in the animal transport and improve animal welfare.