Italian man, 69, reported for training grandsons, 11 and 12, in poaching near Soncino

A 69-year-old man was reported to authorities for training his grandsons, aged 11 and 12, in illegal poaching in the countryside near Soncino, Cremona. He allegedly gave them a loaded semi-automatic shotgun. The operation by forestry police followed a tip-off from WWF guards. Officers found the younger boy holding a hunting rifle near a fixed blind, while the older child was with the grandfather, who held a valid hunting license. The inspection also uncovered prohibited acoustic devices, including a phone playing bird calls, and three other electro-acoustic lures. Seized items included three rifles, 18 cartridges, and killed protected species. The man faces charges for improper firearm custody, using banned hunting methods, and killing non-huntable species. The juvenile prosecutor's office was notified regarding the minors' involvement.