SAN MARINO – A San Marino court has fined Antonio Tiberi, a 21-year-old Italian professional cyclist, 4,000 euros for shooting and killing the cat of Federico Pedini Amati, the Minister of Tourism and former head of state in the tiny nation of San Marino, judicial officials say.

 Along with the fine, Tiberi has been suspended from his team, Trek-Segafredo, until March 28, and is at risk of being fired altogether, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. He will miss several races this season, including the Laigueglia Trophy in Liguria, the Strade Bianche in Tuscany, and the Paris-Nice in France.

 In June, Tiberi fired an air rifle out his window in his San Marino apartment, killing the cat that turned out to be Amati’s. The minister reported the death to the San Marino law enforcement who cross-referenced data of gun-owning residents. Their data led them to Tiberi, whose carbine rifle has now been confiscated.

 In November, Tiberi explained to a judge that he was only testing the firing range of the rifle, but he admitted to having aimed at an animal.

 “I deeply regret my shameful actions,” Tiberi wrote in a statement on Twitter. “I did something tremendously stupid and irresponsible, the seriousness and danger of which I realized only after the act. I don’t want to make excuses.”

 Amati and many citizens of San Marino have questioned the 4,000 fine, considering it too low for Tiberi’s inhumane actions.

 “It had been with us for a long time,” Amati told the Corriere della Sera. “My three-year-old daughter Lucia loved it. You can’t kill a pet and get away with a 4,000 euro fine. I appreciated that the boy admitted the fact, but having said that we do not need to give residence to these people.” Many Italians reside in picturesque San Marino to avoid paying Italian taxes.

 Following the uproar from both citizens and fans, both Tiberi and the Trek-Segafredo cycling team pledged to donate Tiberi’s prize money and suspended pay to San Marino animal welfare organizations.

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