No cats in gardens

The office of the Prime Minister and Minister George Pullicino replied to my and the National Cat Society's protests when the Environmental Landscapes Consortium decided to remove the cats from public gardens. The letter "explains" that some cats were removed from San Anton Gardens to "reduce" the cat population there and the damage to plants.

Firstly the Prime Minister is only repeating what the ELC told him, including that he should rest assured that nothing else has been done. If this is not the strangest reply ever I do not know what is.

Secondly the Prime Minister should not accept the assurance just because a couple of managers said so. I repeat they are no experts on cat matters. It is a well-known fact worldwide that to reduce the numbers of a cat's colony the solution is not to kill them or remove them from their established territory but to neuter them.

Thirdly if, and only if, the damage to plants by these gentle and graceful cats is significant what about the damage being inflicted on the plants at Wied Incita - the place where these cats have been dumped? (Wied Incita is a plant nursery).

Fourthly, does the Prime Minister know that it is a cruel act to displace cats (of all animals) from their territory. In fact, in many countries it is illegal to do so (as I believe it is in Malta).

Therefore it is logical that just a warning to the ELC is simply not sufficient. It is true that the Minister of Rural Affairs and the Environment has asked the ELC that in future they should refrain from acting so. But we animal lovers want more and indeed expect more.

It is being demanded, in the numerous letters to various editors of newspapers, and rightly so, that the displaced cats be returned to San Anton now and that the people who removed the cats (those who gave the orders) be reprimanded.

The NCS also demanded that the number of cats displaced be made known, because this is a public affair.

Lastly, what is exactly the function of the Animal Welfare Council? I am to understand that there exits a sub committee on strays; which committee was neither consulted before this offence was committed nor called upon to comment after the cats were carried away (like criminals) to Wied Incita.

The government here is being urged to act for everyone is supposed to be equal under the law.