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A Molise regional administrative court has temporarily suspended a city ordinance here prohibiting citizens from feeding stray dogs.

The suspension will remain in force until a December 3 hearing on a suit filed against the city ban by an animal rights group.

According to the group, the city's action was in violation of national and regional animal protection laws.

The ordinance against feeding stray dogs was issued October 28 by Campobasso's center-left Mayor Giuseppe Di Fabio and caused an uproar among animal rights groups throughout the peninsula.

A similar ban was ordered recently in the town of San Marco in Lamis, on the Gargano peninsula in southeastern Italy, and has come under fire by animal rights groups.