AD: Government must address Montekristo's 'cowboy attitude'

In the wake of the accident in which a five-year-old boy was attacked by a lioness in the illegal zoo at Montekristo Estates, Alternattiva Demokratika condemned the lack of serious enforcement.

'It is unacceptable that a second child has been attacked by a zoo animal following the first attack by a tiger less than five months ago on the same premises.  It has been more than evident that Montekristo Estates owners have a penchant for disregarding the rule of law in all aspects be it buildings not covered with MEPA permits or this illegally operating zoo. This string of illegalities has been going on for years with successive governments dismally failing to address such a cowboy attitude,’ AD spokesperson on animal welfare Simon Galea said.

He added that “to add insult to injury, political activities and other public events are repeatedly held on the same premises giving the distinct impression that illegality can go on with impunity. A case in point is last weekend's hunting fair held at same premises where amongst other visitors were Minister Carmelo Abela, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius and Opposition spokesperson Charlo Bonnici.”

AD chairperson Arnold Cassola said that while both the PN and Labour in government have shown themselves “toothless and indeed accommodating with the likes of [Montekristo Estate owner Charles] Polidano, law abiding citizens keep bearing the brunt of it all,”