On August 7, 2026, a peaceful day at the beach in Pizzo, Calabria, turned into a tragic event when a parasol pole was used to strike a five-year-old miniature Schnauzer named Martin. The incident occurred as Martin, owned by Stanislav K., a 37-year-old man from Berlin, was on the beach with his family. According to reports, Martin was drawn to a child being chased by another dog, prompting his owner to approach the scene. A man, identified as the child's father, allegedly used a parasol pole to strike Martin, causing severe internal injuries. The impact of the pole was heard across the beach, leading to panic among swimmers and witnesses. Martin was immediately taken to a veterinary clinic, but the extent of his injuries was so severe that the doctors were unable to save him. Stanislav K., along with his 33-year-old wife and their 11-year-old daughter, had to say their goodbyes before Martin was euthanized. The family described Martin as a beloved pet who had been with them since he was a puppy and had been given to their daughter for her first day of primary school. The man who struck Martin provided a different account to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Calabria, claiming he acted out of instinct to protect his child. However, Stanislav K. firmly rejected this version, stating that Martin weighed only eight kilograms and that no one needed to be protected from him. The family has filed a complaint and is supported by an Italian animal rights association. The incident has sparked outrage and deep emotion, not only in Italy but beyond its borders, highlighting the tragic consequences of a seemingly ordinary moment on the beach.