Officials in Italy say cats may have been used to start wildfires 

Authorities in Italy say they have found evidence suggesting that cats may have been used to deliberately start some of the wildfires burning across the Calabria region.

The claim was made by Domenico Costarella, director general of the Calabria Civil Protection Department, as firefighters continued battling dozens of fires.

Costarella said firefighters found several suspected devices used to start fires, including candles, bottles and containers filled with flammable liquid. He also said crews found cats with cloths soaked in flammable liquid tied to their tails.

According to officials, the animals were allegedly released into dry fields, where they could have spread the flames as they ran through vegetation.

The claims have not been independently confirmed, and Italian authorities are still investigating how the fires started. No arrests have been announced.

Costarella described the alleged acts as “inhuman” and said stronger action is needed against people who deliberately start wildfires.

Animal welfare group takes legal action

The Italian Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment (AIDAA) has filed a criminal complaint following the allegations.

The organisation is also offering a €1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of anyone found responsible for using cats or other animals to start fires.

Calabria has been hit by hundreds of wildfires in recent days as high temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds increase the fire risk.

Firefighters have responded to more than 160 fires across the region, working to protect forests, farmland and nearby communities.

Officials believe many of the fires were deliberately started. Investigators are now also examining the claims that animals may have been used to spread some of the blazes.

“Man’s worst enemy is man,” the President of Calabria, Roberto Occhiuto, said on Instagram.