Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia confirmed that no action was taken against the mayor of Vittoriosa following the killing of pigeons in his home town last year.

Replying to a parliamentary question made by PN MP Mario Galea, Farrugia explained that the process of culling has been used other times and in other localities. He also said that the necessary arrangements were made with the competent authorities.

The culling of a number of pigeons carried in Vittoriosa last year had many people including several animal activists raging. The culling was carried out by five men carrying airguns in broad daylight in an attempt to control the rising pigeon populations.

The Environment Ministry had at the time condemned the culling saying there were other ways of reducing pigeon populations. The Ministry had remarked that they would investigate the matter and take any action necessary.  It had also said that the shooting of pigeons was against the government policy of controlling wild pigeon populations.

Farrugia confirmed through another parliamentary question that the police of the Cospicua district were only present at the culling to keep order and as a precaution.