The Gozo SPCA said today that it has, for the time being, abandoned its ‘Trap, Neuter, Release’ programme after its personnel were assaulted and equipment destroyed or damaged on Friday.

The attack happened during an organised cat trapping session.

The cat and dog neutering programme had been running for several years with much of the expenditure being covered by international organisations in the UK and Germany, namely The Blue Cross and ITV Grenzenlos. Last year over 445 animals in Gozo were neutered in order to stop the wholesale dumping of unwanted kittens and puppies every year.

"The Gozo SPCA personnel involved in the incident were shocked and dismayed that such an attack should take place in Gozo," the Gozo SPCA said.

The police are taking action against the person involved in the attack.