Anti-Semitic Thugs Unleash Dog on Pregnant Jewish Couple in Venice Nightmare
An American Hasidic couple, including a pregnant woman, was attacked in Venice by three men who hurled antisemitic slurs, unleashed a dog, and stole their belongings. The incident, reported by the local Jewish community, has prompted a police investigation into possible hate crimes and robbery.
On the evening of August 9, 2025, a romantic stroll near Venice’s Rialto Bridge turned horrific for an American Hasidic couple when three men launched an unprovoked anti-Semitic assault. The couple, identifiable by the husband’s kippa and long beard and the wife’s five-month pregnancy, faced verbal abuse, physical harassment, and a terrifying dog attack. The assailants threw water, spat on the couple, and shouted “dirty Jew” while unleashing a large dog on the husband. Fortunately, the dog’s bite struck his cellphone in his pocket, damaging only the device and sparing him physical injury. The attackers also stole the couple’s belongings during the chaos.
The shaken couple fled to the nearby Gam Gam kosher restaurant, where they had dined earlier. Sion Yehiel Banin Rahamim, a local Chabad community member and restaurant owner, witnessed their distress. “It matters little whether the victims are from Chabad or not,” Rahamim stated. “It’s unfortunate that such serious attacks happen in our city, which I have always considered, and still consider, tolerant and intelligent. The attack was in no way provoked, and passersby acted as if nothing had happened.” The indifference of onlookers compounded the couple’s trauma.
Opting not to stay and engage with authorities, the couple left Venice, Italy for New York hours later without filing a formal complaint. However, Venice’s Jewish community reported the incident, prompting a police investigation. Authorities are reviewing Rialto Bridge security footage and attempting to contact the victims for their account. Under Italian law, prosecutors can pursue charges for hate crimes and robbery without a victim’s formal complaint, and the case is being treated as a possible anti-Semitic attack and theft. Police are urging witnesses to provide information about the three suspects. The incident has sparked outrage, highlighting rising concerns about antisemitism in Europe, particularly amid global tensions involving Israel and recent reports of biased media narratives.