Police were called to a public park after several distressed callers reported a man trying to cook what appeared to be a dead animal.
The incident happened on April 15 at Crociata Park in Sarzana, a town in northeastern Italy. According to witnesses, the man, identified as a Nigerian migrant, had set up a small, improvised grill near a children’s play area. Photos taken at the scene show him crouched over the fire, using a stick to tend it, with playground equipment just a few feet away.
Locals who saw what was happening alerted authorities. By the time officers arrived, the fire had gone out and the man was no longer actively handling the animal. Police detained him on suspicion of animal cruelty, though reports indicate the arrest was temporary and no formal charges were ultimately filed.
It remains unclear whether the man killed the animal himself or found it already dead. Investigators said they were unable to determine what had happened prior to the incident.
The situation has drawn strong reactions from animal welfare groups and public officials. Piera Rosati, president of LNDC Animal Protection, acknowledged that people experiencing homelessness can face extreme hardship, including lack of access to food. Still, she said that does not excuse harming an animal or doing so in a public space.