[WATCH] Animal rights activists’ protest against lax enforcement

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Some 100 animal rights’ activists today took part in a demonstration to protest against the lack of enforcement of animal welfare laws.

The lack of enforcement of animal welfare laws was recently thrust into the picture after a horse cabbie was charged with animal cruelty following footage which purportedly showed him whipping a fallen horse.

One of the organisers of today’s silent protest, TV presenter Moira Delia, a former spokesperson for the anti-hunting lobby, told MaltaToday that it was useless having animal welfare laws without these being actually enforced by the authorities concerned.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Delia said the protest sought to give a voice to animals who are often the victims of abuse.

“We are gathered here to be the voice of those animals who often suffer in silence. It is useless to have animal welfare laws without proper enforcement.”

“It is unacceptable that in 2016 we still hear of animals being abused, and of this abuse being abused without any action being taken. I ask Roderick Galdes [the parliamentary secretary for animal rights] whether things will change,” she said.

In comments to MaltaToday, Delia said Maltese people were sensitive to animals in general, and that the problem lay mainly with a few bad eggs and a lack of enforcement.

Demonstrators insisted that the key to battle and deter animal abuse is enforcement, but unfortunately, authorities were guilty of a laissez-faire attitude as they often take a very relaxed approach.

Delia also spoke about the increase in the number of puppy farms which are producing undesirable long-term side effects on the welfare of the dogs being bred and interbred.

Activists also protested against the illegal hunting of protected species and against the ‘zoos’ in Malta.