Carmel Aquilina (January 18) voiced his concern regarding animal welfare NGOs seemingly turning a blind eye to the horrific conditions in which hundreds of watchdogs on farms,industrial sites and rooftops are kept.

I can assure Aquilina that this is far from being the case. For years, NGOs have been doing their utmost not only to bring about tough laws to make the acceptance of these cases and others unlawful but also to have them implemented.

NGO members are volunteers who dedicate much of their time off work to bettering the conditions of animals they are in a position to help.

At present, animal protection laws are discussed by the Animal Welfare Council and it is the function of the council to introduce laws to alleviate the lot of animals.

On the other hand, it is only the Animal Welfare Department, together with the police, that is then authorised to actually implement these laws.

This year, the Animal Rights Coalition, which comprises voluntary animal welfare organisations, worked on animal welfare issues and sent its recommendations to all political parties to be included in their manifesto.

There are two NGO representatives who have been elected on the Animal Welfare Council and I can assure you that we are doing our utmost to bring about the necessary changes.