Legislate against animal cruelty

My dear late father once told me that 'politics is a dirty game'. At the time, I thought he simply meant corruption: after all, I had witnessed a dockyard labourer become a minister and within a short time build himself an impressive villa and become a very rich man.

But since my return to Malta in 2002, my father's words took on another meaning.

Deceit. Duplicity of promises galore during the hustings which are quickly forgotten once candidates are elected.

Among its many manifesto promises, Gonzipn once again included the environment, which included animal welfare.

Unfortunately, however, the Prime Minister reappointed the same Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs (relieving him only of the controversial Malta Environment and Planning Authority).

It looks, therefore, that we should expect the status quo from the minister: lots of talk and little action, especially where animal welfare (cruelty) is concerned.

Recently in Swieqi, a pack of feral dogs attacked and butchered several cats, and in a more recent event in Sliema a pit bull terrier killed two cats.

I am not blaming the minister - the dogs did not belong to him. Mr Pullicino is to blame for his inactivity: he has done nothing to stop animal cruelty, especially the bestial cruelty perpetrated by man on helpless animals.

The 'hunting' dog in question was a stray in the Ta' Silġ area of Marsaxlokk.

It was a sweet-tempered, docile pet by all accounts, which only sought a little affection.

What it received instead was a bullet from close range which caused horrific wounds and untold pain.

Will the perpetrator be caught, taken to court and heavily fined or even imprisoned? Don't hold your breath.

Were the sadistic men who skinned a live rabbit caught and punished? Were those men who shot dead protected birds in the confines of the Għadira Nature Reserve brought to justice?

The Maltese are still lauded for their kindness and hospitality, something the Malta Tourism Authority makes much of in its campaigns.

It is such a pity animals can't talk, for they would contradict such a statement.

Government inertia and lack of legislation and enforcement are nothing but encouragement for vandals and hooligans to continue to maltreat helpless animals.