Trek-Segafredo cyclist Antonio Tiberi has been fined 4000 euros (NZ$6800) for fatally shooting a minister's cat in San Marino and his team have suspended him for 20 days without pay.
The 21-year-old rider - a junior time trial world champion in 2019 and recent resident of the tiny republic landlocked within Italy - reportedly said he was trying out an air rifle, and aimed at the cat's head and fired.
The cat belonged to neighbour Federico Pedini Amati, who happens to be tourism minister and a former head of state of San Marino.
"The cat didn't bother anyone," Pedini Amati told Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper. "It had been with us for a long time.
"My three-year-old daughter Lucia loved it. You cannot kill a pet and get away with a 4,000 euro fine."
Trek-Segafredo said it would donate Tiberi's pay during his suspension to an appropriate animal care, protection and rescue organisation, and work with the rider to "ensure he educates himself".
Pedini Amati appears to regret Tiberi being allowed to move to San Marino.
"I appreciated that the boy admitted the fact," he said. "Having said that, we don't need to give these people residence."
Reuters
