Animal welfare legislation should be compiled in one law to allow for better revision and updating, according to Labour MP Gino Cauchi.

“Unfortunately, over the span of a few days, the country witnessed what animal cruelty can lead to... The time has come to review, apolitically, animal welfare legislation to have one clear law that lays down the rules for importing, selling and breeding animals and updates penalties for animal cruelty, among other things,” Mr Cauchi said.

The Labour Party spokesman on animal welfare said it was important to consult with animal rights organisations that were well aware of the problems.

Mario Spiteri, who heads the Animal Welfare Department, agreed. “It makes sense and we agree totally with such a suggestion,” Dr Spiteri said.

Over the past weeks, Malta witnessed some of the worst examples of animal cruelty.

On Tuesday, three dead Pharaoh hounds – klieb tal-fenek – were found floating in the sea off Marsalforn tied together at the neck. It is not clear how they died but investigations showed they may have been dead before being dumped at sea.

Before that, a mixed-breed, affectionately called Star, was found shot in the head, bound and buried alive in a Birżebbuġa field. It survived the cruel act but died a few weeks later from an infection, just a day after hundreds of people took part in a demonstration against animal ­cruelty. A man is expected to be arraigned today over Star’s brutal treatment.

The Rural Affairs Ministry, responsible for animal welfare, said the government was already revising animal welfare legislation to improve it. The revision will also look into increasing punishments and involve the Animal Welfare Council that consists of representatives from various animal NGOs. Consultation would also be open to other NGOs and political parties, the ministry said.

Commenting on Mr Cauchi’s suggestions, a ministry spokesman said the Animal Welfare Act already incorporated several issues concerning animals and one had to keep in mind that legal procedures had to be followed in drawing up legislation.

Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined between €500 and €50,000 or jailed for a maximum of one year.

In the wake of the recent cases of animal cruelty, the Animal Rights Coalition said the public could not be aware of the horrific sights sanctuaries faced throughout the years.

“Volunteers are the carers who medicate and speak gently to these animals if they were lucky enough to end up in any of the sanctuaries. Every day, these people, purely out of a genuine love for animals, battle against all odds and do their utmost to help save, with the help of tireless vets, animals fortunate enough to fall under their care,” it said.

Educating children was important but this ongoing problem had to be dealt with immediately. It urged the court to consider these acts of cruelty with the seriousness they deserved.

“We ask the people to report any cruelty immediately and urge the police to deal with the investigations as diligently as possible so that the perpetrators will be caught and be made an example of,” the Animals Rights Coalition said.