Zoo owner Anton Rea Cutajar is currently disputing a €25,000 fine imposed by the Appeals Court. The fine imposed levied after Cutajar was found guilty of having a tiger cub in a cage on a street in Imqabba. The case has garnered considerable attention, especially after Cutajar addressed the issue in a social media video.
In the video, Cutajar expressed his intention to appeal the fine. He mentioned that they were unaware of breaking any law, as the tiger cub was in the possession of a friend. Cutajar also compared the severity of his punishment to that of more serious crimes, implying that his fine was disproportionately high. He pointed out that his charitable efforts and fundraisers often went unnoticed by the media, contrasting this with the significant attention his current legal situation has attracted.
Cutajar acknowledged that a law was broken, indicating his willingness to accept the consequences. However, he requested a reduction in the fine, considering it to be excessively large. His appeal reflects his view that while accepting responsibility for the infringement, the penalty should be more commensurate with the nature of the offense.
Cutajar’s case continues to be a topic of discussion, particularly regarding the balance between animal welfare laws and the operations of private zoos.