Emanuel Buhagiar, 57, has been appointed Animal Rights Commissioner with duties that include the implementation of educational campaigns on animal protection.
He is also tasked with improving cooperation among entities and animal rights campaigners and formulating recommendations on animal issues for implementation.
Mr Buhagiar joined the Animal Rights Directorate in 2009 after serving as a police officer in the forensic laboratory for 26 years. In 2013, he was appointed secretary of the Animal Rights Council.
In the last five years he was responsible for prosecuting more than 70 cases of animal cruelty. His contribution was crucial for the police to solve the case of crucified animals in Mosta.