Feeding stray cats on the streets is illegal but most people do not know it. However, those in charge of enforcing the law are aware of it and they let situations get out of hand.

In Triq l-Ilqugħ, in Swieqi, for instance, a man has been feeding stray cats on a wall with both dried and tinned food for a long time. Unfortunately, all this filth is also a health hazard, attracting flies and rats. When asked, some time ago, to feed the cats a little bit further away so as to protect a garden, he was aggressive towards the lady who asked him to do so. Since then he has entered a private property and thrown some cat croquettes into the plants and last week he showed the finger to another lady who just refused to be dragged into his moaning and groaning.

The police and council have been informed several times but nobody makes a move. They are probably waiting for some dramatic event to occur – his trespassing is still going on. What is the reason for this apathy? Is it because it would mean having to do some work? Is it because he is Maltese and a man, while the other party a foreign woman?

And to prevent any misunderstandings: The people who just like to see the law enforced are not animal haters – one has a dog she trains and who is well behaved and does not annoy anybody and the other has a cat adopted in Malta while she was barely five weeks old, with a broken leg and an eye disease. Both pets have a passport, are neutered and microchipped because the owners are responsible for them and love them. However, respecting other people is the basis of living in society!

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