(ANSA) - The "gratuitous" appearance of a leashed tiger at an event meant to boost Venice's casino has tarnished the city's image, groups defending animal rights said on Monday.
The 300kg adult male Bengal tiger was paraded through the tables of a glitzy crowd of guests including top names in the local fashion world.
The Anti-Vivisection League (LAV) slammed the incident as "the umpteenth case of an animal being used for commercial
purposes in flagrant disregard for his rights." DINGO, an organisation that takes stray animals off the streets, called the tiger's appearance at the casino fashion show "a degrading spectacle."
The casino said the tiger was unexpectedly brought by the company organising the show. It said Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari had repeatedly said the casino needed a classy type of publicity. LAV said the incident broke a 1997 law restricting
animal shows to zoos and circuses.
