Momentum visits Island Sanctuary and supports calls for stronger animal welfare in Malta

Momentum executive members Natasha Azzopardi and Matthew Agius visited the Island Sanctuary, where they witnessed first-hand the extraordinary dedication of volunteers working tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect abandoned dogs.

During the visit, Momentum was briefed on a series of long-standing proposals put forward by Island Sanctuary to address systemic failures in animal welfare. These proposals aim to create an animal-friendly culture that is still sadly lacking in Malta. Momentum supports calls for stronger animal welfare, emphasising the need for enhanced education and public awareness. Schools should place a greater emphasis on pet animal welfare by integrating it into the curricula, and campaigns should promote responsible ownership and prevent neglect. Local councils should be actively involved in managing strays, while emergency intervention procedures must allow prompt access to animals in danger, including in abandoned or empty properties. Public spaces and beaches should be reformed to ensure dog-friendly areas are accessible for responsible owners.

Stronger laws and enforcement are urgently needed. Animal welfare legislation should be overhauled to clearly define proper shelter and living conditions for animals, and to ensure all laws are effectively enforced. Microchipping and registration must be mandatory for more animals, such as cats, and properly monitored. Justice for animals must be fair and consistent, with increased minimum fines, bans on convicted offenders keeping animals, and custodial sentences for repeat abusers. The Animal Welfare Department should be strengthened with properly vetted, committed staff, improved facilities, additional resources, and sufficient enforcement powers to protect animals effectively.

Natasha Azzopardi said, “Momentum believes that protecting animals is a measure of a just and compassionate society. The work carried out by numerous NGOs dedicated to animal welfare must be matched by a strong political will, effective laws, and meaningful enforcement. Momentum will provide the political support needed to these organisations.”

Reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1440845511092785

Momentum iżur Island Sanctuary u jappoġġja s-sejħiet għal-liġijiet aktar b’saħħithom favur il-benesseri tal-annimali

Il-membri eżekuttivi ta’ Momentum Natasha Azzopardi u Matthew Agius żaru l-Island Sanctuary, fejn raw b’għajnejhom stess id-dedikazzjoni straordinarja tal-voluntiera li jaħdmu bla heda biex isalvaw, jirrijabilitaw, u jipproteġu l-klieb abbandunati.

Matul iż-żjara, Momentum ġie infurmat dwar sensiela ta’ proposti imressqa mis-santwarju biex jindirizzaw il-fallimenti sistemiċi fil-benessri tal-annimali. Dawn il-proposti għandhom l-għan li joħolqu kultura favur l-annimali li sfortunatament għadha nieqsa f’Malta. Momentum jappoġġja s-sejħiet favur il-benesseri tal-annimali aktar b’saħħtu, filwaqt li jenfasizza l-ħtieġa ta’ iktar edukazzjoni u għarfien pubbliku. L-iskejjel għandhom jagħmlu enfasi akbar fuq il-benessri tal-annimali domestiċi billi jintegrawh fil-kurrikuli, u l-kampanji li jippromwovu l-importanza ta’ sidien responsabli u b’hekk tnaqqas li annimali jiġu traskurati. Il-kunsilli lokali għandhom ikunu involuti b’mod attiv fil-ġestjoni tal-annimali ‘stray’, filwaqt li l-proċeduri ta’ intervent ta’ emerġenza għandhom jippermettu aċċess fil-pront għall-annimali li jinsabu fil-periklu, inkluż fi proprjetajiet abbandunati jew vojta. Spazji pubbliċi u bajjiet għandhom jiġu riformati biex jiżguraw li ż-żoni li jilqgħu l-klieb ikunu aċċessibbli għal sidien responsabbli.

Liġijiet u infurzar aktar b’saħħithom huma meħtieġa b’mod urġenti. Il-leġiżlazzjoni dwar il-benessri tal-annimali għandha tiġi riveduta biex tiddefinixxi b’mod ċar kenn xieraq u kundizzjonijiet tal-għajxien tal-annimali, u biex tiżgura li l-liġijiet kollha jiġu infurzati b’mod effettiv. Il-mikroċippjar u r-reġistrazzjoni għandhom ikunu obbligatorji għal aktar annimali, bħall-qtates, u mmonitorjati kif suppost. Il-ġustizzja għall-annimali għandha tkun ġusta u konsistenti, b’multi minimi miżjuda, projbizzjonijiet fuq dawk li jkunu kkundannati milli jżommu l-annimali, u sentenzi ta’ kustodja għal dawk li jabbużaw ripetutament. L-Animal Welfare Department għandu jissaħħaħ bi staff professjonali kif suppost u impenjat, faċilitajiet imtejba, aktar riżorsi, u setgħat li jippermettu infurzar b’saħħtu biżżejjed sabiex l-annimali jkunu protetti b’mod effettiv..

Natasha Azzopardi qalet, “Momentum jemmen li l-protezzjoni tal-annimali hija mod kif soċjeta’ titqies bħala waħda ġusta u ħanina. Ix-xogħol imwettaq minn bosta NGOs iddedikati għall-benessri tal-annimali għandu jkun akkumpanjat minn rieda politika qawwija, liġijiet effettivi, u infurzar. Momentum se jipprovdi l-appoġġ politiku meħtieġ lil dawn l-organizzazzjonijiet.”

Reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1440845511092785

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