(ANSA) - Pompei (Naples), April 29 - Public health authorities will vet and sterilize stray dogs living in the Pompeii archeological site, and these will be adopted by the nearby town of Pompei as "neighborhood dogs", local authorities said Tuesday.
A 2001 Campania regional law calls for stray dogs that cannot find a home to be vaccinated, neutered, identified via microchip placement, and then collectively adopted by the neighborhood they live in.
"This way, we can protect tourists from possibly aggressive or sick strays", said Pompei town prefect Aldo Aldi.
"I'm dog lover, I've had 10 of them so far".
One day earlier, the community dog-catcher tried an early-morning round up of strays at the archaeological site but none appeared.
Town of Pompei to 'adopt' stray dogs
Canines to be vaccinated, neutered at public expense