Documentary about stray dogs in Italy
Michele Minunno from southern Italy is an ethologist and vet. He has an excellent understanding of street dogs and talks about stray dogs in Italy in the YouTube documentary.
In the third episode of the four-part documentary series Mondo Stray Is the southern Italian ethologist and vet Michele Minunno at the center. For over two decades, he has dedicated himself to observing and protecting wild dogs in southern Italy. Minunno shares his profound insights into the behavior and social structures of these dogs, who often live in family groups and care for themselves.
The documentary highlights the challenges faced by stray dogs in Italy. Although Italy banned dog euthanasia in 2009, the practice of placing dogs in shelters often results in lifelong cages with no prospect of adoption. Minunno criticizes this approach and underlines the need to find alternative solutions that focus on animal welfare.
A central theme of the episode is the question of how people perceive wild dogs and interact with them. Minunno calls for a change in thinking: Instead of compulsively bringing dogs to animal shelters, their natural ways of life should be respected and supported. He underlines the importance of educating and raising public awareness in order to create a better understanding of the needs of these animals.
The episode impressively shows how important it is to take the dogs' perspective and understand their realities of life. Minunno's work provides valuable impetus for animal welfare and encourages people to question existing practices and develop new, animal-friendly approaches.
You can watch the episode in English below.