Birds are animals too

I would like to thank all those who have written in favour of my protests against hunting in Malta as well as those who are highlighting the cruelty to birds, like Debbie Caruana Galizia’s letter (November 17).

On the other hand I am amazed at the stance taken by the several organisations defending animals’ rights such as Animal Rights Group and SPCA.

While these have rightly raised awareness against cruelty to dogs and other animals, which have been badly treated, not a squeak has been heard about the hundreds of thousands of birds that are being massacred or maimed annually in our islands by hunters. Even thrushes are being used as target practice.

Since birds are animals, unless these organisations will include also the cruelty to birds in their protests, they should change their designation from, for example, Animal Rights Group to Dogs, Cats, Hedgehogs and Snakes Rights Group.

SPCA should also change its title to the Society for the Protection and Care of Dogs, Cats and Centipedes.