Tag: Animal Welfare
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Another lost opportunity for animal welfare reform
The first national animal welfare conference was a very welcome initiative, and Opposition Leader Alex Borg took the opportunity to announce his policy for a dedicated Ministry for Animal Welfare. Although his proposal was welcomed, it did not make any waves with the general public, and the Opposition Leader missed another opportunity to leave his…
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Police speed check in Żebbuġ leads to rescue of two puppies found running on busy road
Police officers carried out a routine roadcheck along Triq l-Imdina in Ħaż-Żebbuġ as part of ongoing enforcement efforts against speeding and other traffic violations. During the operation, which forms part of continuous day-and-night traffic controls, officers identified several vehicles travelling above the permitted speed limit. A number of fines were also issued for various other…
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Chickens left exposed after overnight hailstorm at EU-funded Buskett project
Chickens were left wet and cold following a hailstorm that hit Malta overnight, according to claims made about conditions at Razzett tal-Bagħal in Buskett. The animals were seen inside a fenced area covered only by green netting, offering limited protection from the severe weather. The site forms part of a project financed by European Union…
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Vuċi għall-Annimali calls for shift from Animal Welfare to Protection Framework
Vuċi għall-Annimali has launched From Welfare to Protection, a national campaign urging a fundamental overhaul of Malta’s animal governance system and a move away from traditional “animal welfare” models toward a genuine animal protection framework. The campaign argues that welfare-based approaches, which focus on managing suffering within systems of use, have repeatedly failed to prevent…
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International Animal Rights Day: Malta still lacks 24/7 vet care, politicians silent
On International Animal Rights Day, which coincides with Human Rights Day, Malta faces renewed scrutiny over its animal welfare framework – even as other EU states strengthen theirs. Spain recently recognised pets as sentient beings in law, granting them protections that weigh their wellbeing, emotional bonds and safety in cases such as separation. The reform…
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EU reaches landmark deal on first-ever standards for cat and dog welfare
EU lawmakers have struck a historic agreement on the bloc’s first comprehensive rules governing the breeding, housing, traceability and import of cats and dogs, aiming to stamp out abusive practices and safeguard animal health. Under the draft law, approved in informal negotiations between Parliament and Council, all dogs and cats in the EU, including privately…
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Budget 2026: Highlight investments in Infrastructure, Safety, Culture, and Services
In today’s budget proposals for 2026, the Finance Minister announced that the government is set to continue to invest in infrastructure, education, and quality of life, with a special focus on Gozo. These were some highlights. Infrastructure and Transport New and upgraded roads in Gozo, including arterial routes and pedestrian networks, to reduce congestion. Park…
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Animal cruelty case in Gozo sparks public outrage as police delay enforcement
A recent case of alleged animal cruelty in Xewkija, Gozo, has sparked public outrage following a Facebook post claiming that authorities have not yet acted against the owner of a cattle farm accused of mistreating animals. According to the post, despite the Animal Welfare Directorate’s involvement, the police have so far failed to take enforcement…
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Disturbing discovery in Qawra: Deer found in suspected case of animal cruelty
A suspected case of animal cruelty has emerged in a derelict building near Triq il-Fugass, in Qawra, not far from the Bella Vista Hotel. Concerned citizens reported hearing loud, distressed animal cries coming from the building. Upon cautiously opening an unsecured door, they discovered at least four deer kept in dark, unsanitary conditions. The animals…
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Exotic animal crisis: Momentum demands action as government enables cruelty and chaos
Momentum is reiterating calls for immediate government action after years of reported animal welfare failures involving exotic species continue to be met with silence and complicity. As The Maltese Herald previously reported last April, Mediterraneo Marine Park remains a key example of this failure. Despite a 2014 law banning circuses, Mediterraneo continues to operate as…
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EU Parliament approves groundbreaking pet welfare law: Microchipping, pet shop ban, and stricter breeding rules
The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the EU’s first-ever binding rules for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats, aiming to curb illegal trade and improve animal welfare across member states. Under the new law, all dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered in national databases linked to a central EU system. The…
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Authorities respond only after The Maltese Herald exposed abandoned lions in Naxxar
The Veterinary Regulation Directorate (VRD) and the Commissioner for Animal Welfare have reacted to a recently published article exposed by The Maltese Herald about four abandoned lions and a panther at a farm in Naxxar. The VRD confirmed that it launched an investigation, interrogating the owners of the farm, and found the enclosure was not…
