Front doors have been burnt and cars scratched in connection with reports of the illegal horse-racing taking place in Triq it-Tempesta, Qrendi.

Police sources told The Malta Independent that several reports have been made about these races. The illegal racers have been chased away several times and they have also charged people in court, but the sources said it is very difficult to find a long-term solution to the problem.

A person who has been threatened by the racers after speaking out against them, contacted TMID to shed light on the

matter.

Not only do these races cause an inconvenience to people, seeing that the road is blocked when they take place, but the horses are also severely ill-treated.

Last Sunday a dead horse was lying in the street after one of these races. Sources believe it slipped and died on the spot.

The racers obviously took the carcass away, but the incident shows the cruelty of these races. The horse was still in good health, “it was a beautiful animal,” sources said.

The horses are driven with a fury to win. The racers do not care about the animal, they just want to get to the finish line first, this person said. The races take place almost every Sunday, starting at around 6.15am and continuing until about 1pm, when the sun will be scorching.

This Sunday a race that has been sanctioned by the police will be taking place in this same street. It is organised by the Qrendi band club dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

The club has all the permits necessary to hold this race, which will begin at 7am and continue until 1pm. Lm100 of the profits raised will be donated to the Dar Tal-Providenza.

Qrendi local council explained to TMID that the permit had been issued on condition that the race organisers complied with certain conditions. The organisers must clean the road after the race and hire local wardens to direct traffic. The bus terminus must also be moved so that the schedule will not be disrupted. The racers are also not allowed to park their horse carriages in residential areas.

The council said a meeting is due to be held today with the police, the organisers and the local wardens to discuss the matter at hand. As yet, the council has no information that the conditions it has established have been met. The local council said it has no knowledge of any illegal races being held on Sundays.

Residents speak about the inconvenience caused by the illegal horse races. However, everyone is afraid to lodge official complaints – the threats people have suffered in the past are enough to stop them doing so.

The police are aware of the problem, but can only do something about it when the races are reported.

It is extremely difficult to stop them organising these races, police sources said.

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Front doors have been burnt and cars scratched in connection with reports of the illegal horse-racing taking place in Triq it-Tempesta, Qrendi.

Police sources told The Malta Independent that several reports have been made about these races. The illegal racers have been chased away several times and they have also charged people in court, but the sources said it is very difficult to find a long-term solution to the problem.

A person who has been threatened by the racers after speaking out against them, contacted TMID to shed light on the

matter.

Not only do these races cause an inconvenience to people, seeing that the road is blocked when they take place, but the horses are also severely ill-treated.

Last Sunday a dead horse was lying in the street after one of these races. Sources believe it slipped and died on the spot.

The racers obviously took the carcass away, but the incident shows the cruelty of these races. The horse was still in good health, “it was a beautiful animal,” sources said.

The horses are driven with a fury to win. The racers do not care about the animal, they just want to get to the finish line first, this person said. The races take place almost every Sunday, starting at around 6.15am and continuing until about 1pm, when the sun will be scorching.

This Sunday a race that has been sanctioned by the police will be taking place in this same street. It is organised by the Qrendi band club dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

The club has all the permits necessary to hold this race, which will begin at 7am and continue until 1pm. Lm100 of the profits raised will be donated to the Dar Tal-Providenza.

Qrendi local council explained to TMID that the permit had been issued on condition that the race organisers complied with certain conditions. The organisers must clean the road after the race and hire local wardens to direct traffic. The bus terminus must also be moved so that the schedule will not be disrupted. The racers are also not allowed to park their horse carriages in residential areas.

The council said a meeting is due to be held today with the police, the organisers and the local wardens to discuss the matter at hand. As yet, the council has no information that the conditions it has established have been met. The local council said it has no knowledge of any illegal races being held on Sundays.

Residents speak about the inconvenience caused by the illegal horse races. However, everyone is afraid to lodge official complaints – the threats people have suffered in the past are enough to stop them doing so.

The police are aware of the problem, but can only do something about it when the races are reported.

It is extremely difficult to stop them organising these races, police sources said.