MEP Marlene Mizzi took objection to the controversial pigeon cull in Vittoriosa on Thursday, and posed a series of questions to the authorities in a strongly-worded letter. 

Pigeons were controversially shot down in broad dayling in an attempt by the council to control the rising pigeon population. The culling, which was kept under the radar, was captured by a Times of Malta videographer. 

In an email to the authorities and copied to the press, Ms Mizzi said she was writing as a private citizen and as the vice president of the Intergroup of Animal Welfare of the European Parliament.

She said the actions which appeared to have been sanctioned by the local council, were to eliminate pigeons in a barbaric and cruel manner, in broad daylight and in a built up area with a serious breach of public safety.

"While it is acknowledged that pigeons can cause a problems of public hygiene, it is also a fact that shooting them is only a temporary solution which causes bigger problems and produces bigger and stronger numbers," she wrote.

She asked the Police Commissioner to investigate whether the perpetrators had the police authority to use guns in built up areas.

Animal Welfare Commissioner was asked whether he was consulted about using this culling method to address the problem.

She also asked the Environment Ministry what it planned to do about future culling in the interest of the environment and animal welfare. On Friday, the ministry condemned the incident.

She also addressed a question to Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi whether his ministry was aware of the damage to the image of our country when tourists witness such barbaric actions.