Horror as migrant 'kills cat and tries to cook it' in children's playground

Police were called to the playground by horrified bystanders (Image: X/@AFpost)

A Nigerian man was arrested for attempting to cook a dead cat in an Italian playground last week, according to local reports. Bystanders called the police after witnessing the man trying to cook the animal over a makeshift grill, with photos from the scene showing him poking at the fire with a stick.

The unnamed migrant was arrested at Crociata Park, in the northwest Italian town of Sarzana, on April 15 on suspicion of animal cruelty. It wasn't clear whether the cat was killed by the man or was already dead when he found it but no charges were filed against him, according to the Italian news outlet Cittadella Spezia. The case sparked anger among animal rights campaigners and Italian politicians, who called for tougher action on the "barbaric" incident.

"Killing an animal in a cruel manner and in a public place is never acceptable and must be prosecuted with the utmost severity."

Right-wing Italian MP Michela Vittoria Brambilla added: "Anyone who tramples on the life of an animal tramples on the values of our community."

The Nigerian was spotted trying to cook the dead cat in a playground in northwest Italy (Image: Google Maps)

Security councillor Stefano Torri condemned the incident in even stronger terms in a Facebook post, labelling it "an atrocious act that cannot and must find space in civil society".

"As an administration, we are ready to reiterate strongly: we will not allow anyone to come into our territory to import sick and barbaric customs," he said.