A farmer is holding the prison authorities responsible after his livestock died when he was not allowed to feed the animals.

Angelo Bilocca said in a judicial protest that he was taken to court on October 5  (accused of association to traffic drugs) and subsequently remanded in custody. Following his request, the court recommended that he be escorted to his two farms in order to feed his animals.

However, he said, the court recommendation was ignored by the prison authorities.

So far, he said, 280 chickens, three pigs and 17 rabbits had died because of lack of care.

He said there was no reason to deny him permission to be taken to the farms under escort in order to take care of the animals.