The Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (MSPCA) has many a time applauded the improvement of laws that protect the welfare of animals.

The Animal Welfare Act of 2002 with its numerous additions and amendments over the years, the Electronic Identification of Dogs regulations of 2012 and other regulations on the sale of animals and minimum standards for animal sanctuaries are primary examples of such upgrading, although there is always room for improvement.

Following the case of the horse whipped in Magħtab, where a magistrate found that the man had good reason to whip it to ‘protect’ a toddler, the society is questioning the validity of such improved laws if their enforcement is mediocre at best. ​

Now that a new case of a horse being whipped indiscriminately has arisen, just days ago – and this time in a public place – which indicates the sentiment that there should be no shame associated with causing distress to an animal already in a compromised situation, the MSPCA hopes that the authorities will take this opportunity to enforce the laws and have justice for this innocent animal.

The society will be attending the protest against animal cruelty next Sunday in St Julian’s and invites the public to do the same to show their dismay at such cruel treatment of animals.