Following the June 5 impressive turnout at The Strand, Sliema, asking for heftier fines and longer jail terms, including psychiatric treatment in cases of animal cruelty, the Animal Rights Group would like to thank Fleur Cilia Buckett for her initiative to start the campaign along with the collaboration of Animal Rights Coalition, who helped to organise this silent protest. A great big thank you also goes to Annabelle Karaquilian, an animal rights activist who purposely flew to Malta to support this cause.

Animal Rights Group would like to thank all those who helped by working behind the scenes, all those who participated in the walk, the celebrities who supported our cause and the members of Parliament who were present.

We are all extremely distressed at the turn of events but this has only made Animal Rights Group, together with the rest of the Animal Rights Coalition, more determined to continue our ongoing and relentless fight against animal cruelty.

We therefore wish to remind the public about the Star Reward and also to contact the police or Animal Welfare Department with any information, not solely about this case but also any other case of animal cruelty witnessed. Please be as specific as possible when giving information, observe accurately for details to make follow-ups easier and, when reporting, remember to ask who you are speaking to, this to ensure that you can contact the person again, who will, no doubt, be then able to investigate and fill you in with their findings.

We also appeal to members of the public to listen to the appeal of the Animal Welfare Department, which, like other sanctuaries, have in its care dogs and cats that are looking for a second chance of happiness after going through traumatic experiences similar to those of Star. May its suffering and death not be in vain.