Dr Andrew Agius criticises lack of enforcement and calls for urgent reform following Naxxar wild cat scandal and Ta’ Qali hospital closure
As Malta reels from the disturbing discovery of four lions and a panther abandoned in a Naxxar farm – with reports of extreme neglect among the animals – newly announced Nationalist Party (PN) candidate Andrew Agius, a veterinary professional, is calling out the Labour government for what he describes as a “complete lack of empathy” and “no real vision” in the animal welfare sector.
In an exclusive interview with The Maltese Herald, Agius argues that the issue is far deeper than just one rogue case. “It doesn’t surprise me that unregistered lions are found in an unregistered site,” he says bluntly. “Exotic pets have become a status symbol of the few, and there is very little will to regulate this field. What are the safety measures for such animals? What happens to their offspring? Is anyone monitoring how they even get into the country?”
These comments follow The Maltese Herald’s coverage of the Naxxar case, in which lions, visibly malnourished and abandoned, were discovered by police and Animal Welfare officers.
Agius, who has decades of clinical and policy experience, warns that Malta enforces EU rules for farm animals meticulously – tracking livestock from birth to slaughter – yet continues to treat exotic animals with a dangerous level of laissez-faire. “There’s no meaningful enforcement. We need a positive list of permitted species, a ban on breeding, and real standards for enclosures,” he insists.
But it’s not just wild animal regulation in his crosshairs.
Agius also took aim at the government’s handling of the Ta’ Qali Animal Hospital, closed since August 2023 following damage from a power surge. “This hospital has been open and closed multiple times. The first time it was opened under a Nationalist government. Since then, Labour has failed to maintain even the basic infrastructure needed for emergency veterinary care.”
The temporary overnight emergency vet scheme, launched by the Ministry last week under public pressure, is also receiving criticism. “This is not a new idea. It’s a recycled version of a Malta Veterinary Association scheme that’s been around for 25 years. It’s a knee-jerk reaction to social media outrage. There was no consultation with stakeholders. It’s unlikely to succeed in its current form,” he told us.
The hospital’s closure has affected not only domestic pet owners and stray rescues, but also the MCAST veterinary training programme – a collaborative effort with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona – which remains on uncertain ground.
Asked what long-term solutions he envisions, Agius stresses the need for a governing body that truly includes veterinary professionals in decision-making. “We’ve seen years of decisions taken without consulting those with hands-on experience. We need to reverse that.”
He also emphasises the growing gap between rising pet ownership and the state’s limited resources: “We should already have multiple hospitals and clinics to reflect the real demand. Instead, the government is still struggling to reopen a basic centre launched 15 years ago.”
To Malta’s vocal animal rights community, Agius had a final message: “I don’t claim to be the solution to every problem. But I promise to work with NGOs, pet owners, and activists to represent the needs of our animals. The PN has a strong team in this field, and the right energy to bring about change. The road is long – but our ideas are endless.”
News Editor
Journalist and Newscaster
Leave a Reply