The call of the embankment, where otters' burrows abound, was irresistible for two lively small dogs. Escaped from home, happy for the sudden and unexpected freedom, they wasted no time getting to hunting otters without delay. Tirelessly, the two little dogs dug into burrows and busied themselves with alacrity, so much so that their intense work was noticed by some passers-by who were passing near the Donor bridge. This is the cycle / pedestrian walkway that connects Viale Pontremoli with Via Nazario Sauro.
Intrigued and suspicious by the activity of the two animals that looked like not having a master around, passersby warned the brigade. The agents of Commander Andrea Marchesin were then brought to the scene. They had no problem stopping the dogs. "The patrol tells some passers-by was able to approach the two dogs without difficulty, who immediately showed themselves friendly and sociable».
Two beautiful beasts that with their docile and polite behavior have revealed that they are used to being with people and, consequently, to have a home. The two dogs were equipped with microchips thanks to which it was possible to trace the owner. This is a man who resides in the city center. The two animals had managed to evade surveillance. Taken over by the brigade, they were returned to the owner, who was fined for lack of surveillance. We can imagine that the most disappointed by the epilogue of the escape were the two Jack Russells, interrupted at the most beautiful in what, obviously for them, was a fantastic activity, that is to go hunting for otters by digging in burrows.
There are many rodents along the river, having no antagonists in nature they reproduce in large numbers. It is enough to take a walk along the banks in the early morning or at sunset to see the banks populated by otters, intent on feeding on aquatic herbs. Anyone who has cornfields near the river knows something about it: the nutria, provided with sturdy teeth like beavers, gnaw the corn plant at the base making it fall to the ground and then eat the cob. The only ones to survive are the artichoke plants: there are those who have it in the gardens along the embankment, the otters have tried to gnaw them and then abandon the company, they do not like the bitter taste of the plant (Il Gazzettino).