Man in Sicily trained his dog to illegally dump rubbish, say police
The Guardian World
by Lorenzo Tondo in PalermoFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A man in Catania, Sicily, has been caught training his dog to illegally dump rubbish along roadsides as a way to avoid surveillance cameras installed to prevent fly-tipping. According to municipal police, the individual used his dog to carry out bags of trash, attempting to evade detection by city authorities. The incident was documented and shared on the City of Catania’s official Facebook page, where it prompted a strong response from law enforcement. Police described the man's ruse as "cunning" but also "doubly wrong," emphasizing that such inventiveness cannot justify illegal behavior.
The city has been actively working to combat fly-tipping through the use of CCTV cameras and increased patrols. The case highlights the lengths some individuals will go to in order to avoid being caught for anti-social behavior. The police statement accompanying a video of the dog’s actions served as both a warning and a reminder that such tactics are unacceptable. Authorities stressed the importance of responsible waste disposal and adherence to local regulations.
This story sheds light on the broader challenges faced by cities in enforcing anti-fly-tipping measures. While innovative methods like this one may temporarily circumvent surveillance, they ultimately undermine efforts to maintain public safety and cleanliness. The incident also raises questions about the societal norms that allow such behavior to persist
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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/20/2026