Culling pigeons was a form of pest control and therefore did not fall under the remit of the Animal Welfare Directorate, Environment Minister Jose Herrera said.

PN MP Mario Galea asked a series of questions about the decision to cull pigeons.

He was deflecting a parliamentary question about the recent shooting of pigeons in Vittoriosa, which - he pointed out - had definitely not been approved by the directorate which fell under his portfolio. The minister has already expressed his condemnation of the incident, which raised a number of concerns.

Read: Vittoriosa's pigeon culling condemned by ministry

MP Mario Galea, who had asked the parliamentary question, was not to be deterred and asked the Justice Minister Owen Bonnici whether any other ways of controlling the large amounts of birds had been considered. He also asked whether any professional advice had been sought prior to deciding to have them shot. He has not yet received a response.

He also asked the Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia whether the police were investigating, and has not yet received a reply to this question, either.

He also tried to put Education Minister on the spot, and asked whether it was appropriate for the cull to be carried out in broad daylight, traumatising the many children that had witnesses the shooting – particularly since they were on Easter holidays at the time.

Would this not undermine the message being given in schools to treat animals with kindness, he asked?

Read: MEP urges action against 'barbaric' pigeon cull in Vittoriosa