A group of animal activists from various organisations donned animal pyjamas and snoozed on the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Regulation Division’s office in protest against a lack of action.
This was aimed at the VRD not stopping ‘another circus act called Cleopatra’s Horse Show that is scheduled to take place at Monte Kristo Estates.’
The activists came from Animal Liberation Malta, Real Animal Rights Foundation – RAR Malta Vol1976 and Association for Abandoned Animals and Vuċi għall-Annimali, holding up various placards calling for more action.
‘VRD wake up! Enforce the Law’ read one placard. ‘VRD whilst you are snoozing you are snoozing animals are suffering’ read another.
‘The Cleopatra Horse Show clearly falls under the definition of a circus and cannot be allowed under the current legislation. This circus act will have horses performing for 3 days in a row. We contacted VRD and informed them of this circus act just in case they were not aware’ Animal Liberation Malta wrote.
The VRD did not respond to their attempt at contact and ‘it seems no action has been taken to stop this from happening as the show is still being promoted to date.’
‘The regulator has repeatedly closed its eyes to breaches in the Animal Welfare Act and the recent changes in the act have been done to regularise this. Furthermore, besides the issue that the regulator is failing to enforce the Act, the Animal Welfare Act itself is weak, as the administrative fine for breaking the law and holding a circus act is only €2,000.’
‘Are we going to allow big business continue uncontrolled to the detriment of Animal Welfare as well?’
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