Animal rights groups have taken action by turning up in front of the offices of the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Regulation Division (VRD) to protest the lack of action by the Director of VRD in stopping another circus act called Cleopatra’s Horse Show that is scheduled to take place at Monte Kristo estates.

In a joint statement – Animal Liberation Malta, Real Animal Rights Foundation, Association for Abandoned Animals AAA and Vuci Ghall-Annimali, said that they went in pyjamas and with pillows at the Marsa offices of VRD holding placards saying “VRD wake up! Enforce the Law,” “VRD whilst you are snoozing animals are suffering,” “Zomm kwiet – hawn in-nies reqdin hawnhekk.”

The activists pointed out that 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.

They added that, “we contacted VRD and informed them of this circus act just in case they were not aware.”

The activists went on to say that “apart for not answering our communication, it seems no action has been taken to stop this from happening as the show is still being promoted to date.”

“The fact that the show will happen clearly demonstrates what animal NGOs and activists have long been saying about the regulator and the law itself. 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,” they said.

The activists also highlighted that fact that the Animal Welfare Act itself is “weak,” as the administrative fine for breaking the law and holding a circus act is only €2000. “That means the organisers will be fined €666 per day for each of the three days that the show will take place.”

They stressed that the Animal Welfare Act has been “further degraded” through recent changes in the law to give powers to the VRD to issue a “special permit” to hold such events.

“In fact, if the event were held just a few days after this, the Director of VRD would have had the authority to issue a permit for this circus act,” the activists said.

“Are we going to allow big business continue uncontrolled to the detriment of Animal Welfare as well?”

Photo: Animal activists

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