Partit Demokratiku said in a statement that it will “always place animal rights and welfare at the forefront of its agenda and will strive to ensure that standards are raised and enforced.”

“On paper, Malta has some strong animal welfare laws,”said head of the Animal Welfare policy group and Birkirkara local council candidate Mark Zerafa. “The problem lies in their enforcement. Cases of animal abuse need to be penalised rather than excused.”

“Partit Demokratiku acknowledges that animals are sentient beings, perceptive to pain and other emotions,” he added. “As such, in any interaction with humans, they are entitled to several inalienable rights. In the case of domestic animals and livestock, they need to be provided with adequate food and water, shelter and medical care.”

“Farms should be regularly inspected and audited to ensure that minimum EU and national standards of animal welfare are adhered to,”said Zerafa.

PD pointed out that there are various points that need to be addressed. “It must be remembered that our wildlife is vulnerable to human activity and we must endeavour to protect our fauna from the ravages of habitat damage and destruction through over exploitation of our countryside. As a consequence of the over-development, the wild rabbit and hedgehog have already become rare.”

“The legality of zoos operating in Malta also needs to be investigated,” said PD. “It is counter to animal welfare to confine animals, naturally adapted to roam the savanna, to a cage a mere few metres wide.”

“No effort should be spared to avoid unnecessary pain and distress; therefore, only humane methods of pest control should be allowed. Methods that inflict an inordinate amount of suffering such as glue traps should be outlawed,” stated deputy leader and Sliema Local Council candidate Timothy Alden

He went on to say that “cases of animal abuse need to be penalised and the relevant laws need to be strictly enforced.”

Partit Demokratiku said that it will be speaking up for the betterment of animal welfare in Parliament this week.

“We are for the positive amendments being discussed in Parliament in favour of the protection of animals, but it is imperative that these are rigorously adhered to with great scrutiny,” it said.

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