Guidelines recently introduced by Bank of Valletta state that only assistance dogs can enter the Bank’s premises, whilst other pets are not allowed in the premises.

Earlier this week, TV presenter and animal-right activist Moira Delia took to Facebook to voice her frustration that her dog was no longer allowed in the premises, after they were prevented from entering.

She called the new policy a ‘non-dog friendly one.’ “Me and my well behaved dog just got turned down from entering your premises,” she wrote, “Nina, my dog, always waited patiently and never bothered others with bad odours or loud noises, but no we still got stopped in 2017.”

A media representative from the bank told The Malta Independent said, “The Bank has recently introduced guidelines whereby only assistance dogs (guide/hearing/service dogs) are allowed access to the Bank's premises when they are accompanying a person requiring assistance.”

“It is the Bank's practice that no pets or animals, whether on leash, muzzled or in a container, other than assistance dogs are allowed on the Bank’s premises,” they continued.

It is understood that previously, allowing animals inside the premises was up to the discretion of the bank manager.