The temporary shelter set up for four karozzini intended to shield the horses from the scorching sun in Valletta is no more than a tent and is not even long enough to cover the whole body of the horses. Apart from the fact that the shelter should cater for six karozzini not just four, said Animal Rights Group chairman Miriam Ellis.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Ms Ellis explained that the group has been lobbying for the protection of the karozzini horses. Demonstrations and protests have been held in an effort to draw attention to the matter and yet, only one permit for a protective canopy has been issued and the actual canopy has not yet been built.

One of the operators of the karozzini said that three weeks ago an architect had visited the site in question, that is, St George’s Square in Valletta, and had told them that work would begin on Monday. “Three weeks have passed and nothing has been done,” he said.

A visit to this area clearly shows that the temporary tent that has been set up not only houses just four karozzini, when there are usually six, but also fails to cover the horses completely. “The tent covers the cab more than it does the horse,” the operators said. “Basically, it has been put up to shut people’s mouths,” one of them claimed.

The karozzini operators explained that they currently do not have sufficient water and drainage – these are facilities that should be set up once the permanent structure is built, but as yet, the horses are having to stand half-covered under a tent that was clearly not constructed for this purpose.

Ms Ellis said that in 2000, Dr Louis Borg, a leading equestrian veterinarian, had written a letter detailing the damage long hours in the sun causes the horses’ body. “It has taken the Malta Environment and Planning Authority all these years to issue a single permit for a canopy to be built and four applications are still pending,” she said.

She questioned why the structure has not been built, considering the permit was issued on 28 June this year. The karozzini operators said that something needs to be done about the situation. One explained how a canopy to accommodate six carriages would be a step forward. “When cruise liners berth in the Maltese harbour, we can make money and also afford to employ more people to operate more karozzini,” he said, adding that if there will be no place for the horses to take shelter, this will not be possible.

“The karozzini are part of the Maltese tradition and slowly they are being wiped out which is sad because this is how we make our living,” he said.