Just reassurances
On Sunday 23 July, an article appeared in the Pesaro news of "Il Resto del Carlino" which Federcaccia found seriously harmful to the figure of hunters and in particular to the reality of their relationship with their dogs. A letter was immediately sent to the Direction and to the editorial staff of the newspaper, asking to be able to have space on the same pages by virtue of the so-called right of reply. Despite the reassurances received, after a week this has not yet happened. We therefore disseminate what was answered to the article through other channels, emphasizing, given the conduct of the newspaper, that we were not mistaken in "reading" in those lines a precise ideological position against hunting and a pretext for hitting citizens who they practice it by taking advantage of a relevant position and denying any contradiction.
The letter
Dear Director,
at first and perhaps a little superficial reading it is difficult not to agree with the article by Alessandro Mazzanti published in the Chronicle of Pesaro in the edition of "Il Resto del Carlino" on Sunday 23 July, entitled "The barbarity of recluse dogs" . Upon closer reflection, however, it emerges that his writing sins of bias, attributing to two very specific categories of citizens a series of behaviors that are unfortunately widespread among all dog owners, regardless of their function. Certainly we cannot accept the gratuitous and preconceived accusation of those who identify only hunters and truffle hunters as responsible for the barbarism, as it is defined, of the imprisonment of dogs in cages. The categories mentioned are not exempt from these behaviors, we know it well, but they constitute an exception strongly condemned by the others belonging to them. And it could not be otherwise, given the bond of affection that develops between a man and his dog.
The training areas
But even wanting to leave feelings aside, it is certainly not a wise choice for a dog lover, hunter or truffle hunter, to neglect the well-being of one's auxiliary. A dog in perfect physical and mental shape is essential in the activity in which it is employed, therefore each owner takes care of his dog's physical exercise by letting him go out at least once, but there are those who do it even two or three times a week, when the hunting activity is closed and, we remind you, the law forbids bringing the auxiliaries into the countryside and running around. For this reason there are and it is no coincidence that in our province there are a good number of "dog training areas", the so-called Zacs, increasingly invoked by our members and by hunters in general to keep their auxiliaries in shape without risking fines salted to make them move freely during the prohibited periods. But perhaps the author of the paper ignores this or… prefers to ignore it. Then we find at least questionable his invoking citizens to inform hunters and truffle hunters who own dogs so that they are reported, justifying himself with the statement - a presumption of guilt - that "Dogs are let out of their cages only a few minutes a day, then they put them back in”. More than a call to exercise a civic duty by denouncing an - alleged - crime, it seems to us rather an invitation to declare falsehoods with a certain lightness in order to achieve the goal. Of course, there may be obvious cases and it is good that they are reported, but in reality, in the vast majority of cases the ordinary citizen does not even notice when hunters or truffle hunters go out with their dogs. We do it at such a time that when we get back the neighbors are usually still asleep, especially on weekends.
The reality of the facts
You go out so early taking advantage of the cool morning to avoid heat strokes and maybe be ready on time in your workplace. Truffle hunters then go out with their dog practically all year round: each season corresponds to a type of truffle (the author should know this) and in addition they don't even have weekly days off like us hunters. Once again, behind at least apparently good intentions not too much attention is paid to the reality of the facts and perhaps thanks to a certain professional bias which rather tends to arouse easy emotions - far from us thinking of bad faith, mind you - what a journalistic article should be turns into disinformation and denigration of a lawful activity and of those who practice it. As provincial president of the Italian Hunting Federation, I strongly urge Mr. Mazzanti in the name of that professional deontology which as a journalist should guide his writings to greater respect also towards those who, perhaps hunters and truffle hunters, carry out an activity that he does not share. If you are aware of cases in which the rules are violated and respect and care for a pet is lacking, report personally and publicly, as is the right/duty of every journalist, the perpetrators, whether they are hunters, truffle hunters or dog owners in general . But do it by telling facts and not giving voice to prejudices (source: Federcaccia). Below is the complete article: