Alternattiva Demokratika has called for adequate animal quarantine facilities and staff after some 500 birds died while being held as court evidence.

AD also called on Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes to open an investigation into the story published two days ago by Times of Malta.

In cases when there is not enough space to house a large number of birds, they should be either released with photos kept as evidence or else housed at private aviaries against payment, with expenses borne by the culprit, AD suggested.