Another summer has arrived and yet an issue which many animal rights organisations have been pushing forth for years has unfortunately not improved. Cab horses still remain without adequate shelter, in a way that they must spend a whole day in the scorching sun, without any form of shade or basic amenities. 

The situation is exasperating, and reflects not only the lack of existing priority for animal rights but also the incompetency of the relevant authorities, which throughout this saga have often shifted the onus of responsibility of the matter from one entity to the other and have not taken any concrete action to permanently resolve the matter. Here we are dealing with an issue on which there could never be any disagreement upon: As long as cab horses are permitted to be on the road, it is a must that these horses are provided with adequate shelter to protect them from the elements and basic amenities, such as fresh water supply.

It is truly shameful for Malta that while promoting cab horses as a tourist attraction, it is at the same time also exhibiting the lack of animal rights and welfare that still exist in this island.

In view of this, we would like to invite the responsible entity for the taking of such decision to stir from his/her air-conditioned office and instead try to spend at least a day with these poor horses, so that s/he can be in a better position to comprehend the imminent need for such shelters.

As a result, Moviment Graffitti is for the umpteenth time requesting that a concrete and permanent solution is found to address this issue of animal cruelty once and for all. We cannot understand why such a simple and straightforward decision is taking whole years to be adequately addressed and why year after year the situation has still not improved. Moviment Graffitti sincerely hopes that the relevant authorities do not allow another summer of cruelty to pass by, as if no cruelty is taking place.

■ Mary Grace Vella

Moviment Graffitti