Update 4.34pm - Adds Government statement

The Nationalist Party will be submitting a motion in Parliament to render illegal the chaining of dogs for long hours. 

The Opposition will be making a series of amendments to the law to push for the introduction of new measures to help protect animals. 

Party leader Simon Busuttil made the announcement during a forum for equal opportunities with animal rights' organisations. 

"There should be no political division on this subject and the Opposition is prepared to support initiatives," he said. 

The authorities are obliged to ensure animal rights are safeguarded.

Legislation in Malta still permits dogs to be tied all day, provided the chain is at least three metres long. Most EU countries ban such a practice.

The issue was highlighted recently after a dog was found with a chain embedded in its neck. The incident happened just days after hundreds held a street march calling for stricter legislation.  

'We're already doing it' - Government

The Animal Welfare parliamentary secretariat said that a proposal to outlaw chaining dogs for long periods of time was already being discussed by the Animal Welfare Council. 

In a statement, the secretariat contrasted the government's record on animal welfare to that of the previous administration. The current government, it said, had introduced several measures which Nationalist administrations had "swept under the carpet." 

Among these were the end of animal circuses, harsher penalties for animal abuse, the creation of an animal welfare fund for NGOs and the appointment of Malta's first Animal Welfare Commissioner.