‘You will pay for it': Hero Italian police dog killed after eating metal nail spiked sausages; PM Giorgia Meloni slams ‘cowardly act’

In a shocking incident, an Italian police dog died after ingesting sausages spiked with nails, believed to have been intentionally planted.Authorities suspect Bruno was targeted in retaliation for his role in cracking down on illegal dog-fighting rings, reports New York Post.When Bruno's trainer, Arcangelo Caressa, shared details of the incident online, it quickly gained national attention, even drawing a response from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni."A heartbreaking piece of news," PM Meloni posted on X, alongside a photo of herself with Bruno from a past rescue. "A vile, cowardly, unacceptable act."The gruesome killing sparked a nationwide manhunt for Bruno’s killers.Caressa believes the attack was an act of revenge. According to BBC reports, the trainer had received death threats in the weeks leading up to the incident, fuelling suspicions that the killing was pre-planned."I know who you are and you will pay for it," Caressa warned those behind the act in a social media post.He refused to share images of the "atrocity," describing them as too gruesome.“It felt like I died with him,” Caressa wrote in another post.Over the years, Bruno had saved nine lives, worked alongside the Dog Rescue Unit, and was part of several successful operations involving the takedown of illegal gangs and animal abuse rings.“You fought for your whole life to help human beings, and the same humans did this to you,” the trainer added.“I love you, my friend.”“He wasn’t just a dog. He was family. He was a hero, and heroes never die,” he mentioned in another postCaressa cooperated with prosecutors and reportedly named two suspects he believes are involved in the crime.CBS News reported that Italian lawmaker and animal rights advocate Michela Vittoria Brambilla filed a criminal complaint under a new law she helped write, which increases penalties for animal cruelty and killing.