SPCA demands enforcement of animal welfare laws

The Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (MSPCA) has questioned the validity of animal welfare laws and complained of their “mediocre” enforcement.

“Following the case of the horse whipped in Maghtab where a magistrate found that the man had good reason to whip it to ‘protect’ a toddler, MSPCA is questioning the validity of such improved laws if their enforcement is mediocre at best,” the society said.

“​Now that a new case of a horse being whipped indiscriminately has arisen, just days ago, and this time in a public place, which indicates the sentiment that there should be no shame associated with causing distress to an animal which is already in a compromised situation, MSPCA hopes that the authorities will take this opportunity to enforce the laws and have justice for this innocent animal.”

MSPCA will attend a protest against animal cruelty on 17 April in St Julian’s.

The society said that is always room for improvement in the Animal Welfare Act with its numerous additions and amendments over the years, the Electronic Identification of Dogs regulations of 2012 and other regulations on the sale of animals and minimum standards for animal sanctuaries.